How the boxing world has reacted to the news of Henry Cooper's death at the age of 76
David Haye, WBA world heavyweight champion (via Twitter)
One of Britain's greatest sports man Sir Henry Cooper passed away today. A true warrior and great human being. Rest in Peace. #Ripsirhenry
Frank Warren, promoter
He transcended boxing, he was a true gentleman of sport and had a huge place in the public's affection.
He never won the world title but he had true British grit, he tried.
He [twice] fought Cassius Clay, who was this brash young kid coming over, and he put him on his backside and went into British sporting folklore. His weakness was that he cut very easily and he got cut in both those fights.
He wasn't an extrovert like a lot of fighters in this day and age, saying what they're going to do - he was unassuming and in his time he was a superstar, he became a bit of an icon. For generations of people who'd never seen him fight, a legend built up and the public took him to their heart because he was such a gentleman.
Amir Khan, WBA light welterweight champion (via Twitter)
Sorry to hear the loss of some1 so special who will never be forgotten Our heartfelt condolences go out to the champ and his family #RIPSirHenryCooper
Robert Smith, general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control
Ali is possibly the greatest athlete there's ever been and Henry put up a great performance and just wasn't quite good enough on both occasions - but he's not the only one who wasn't good enough to beat Ali.
Ali was one of the first 'big' heavyweights and Henry lost to Joe Bugner, who was 15-odd stone and Henry was 14 - just bigger men. For such a small man he put up some great performances in a world-class context.
Johnny Nelson, former WBO cruiserweight world champion
Henry was a total champion. He was always a gentleman, always straight down the line. He told it how it was.
Ali always showed that bit of respect for Henry Cooper. Everybody in Britain: be proud of what he achieved and what he actually did. He was a no-nonsense fighter, the man that almost dethroned one of the greatest fighters in the world, Muhammad Ali.
"There's nobody that came across Sir Henry that had a bad word for him."
Barry McGuigan, former world featherweight champion
It's tragic news for the world of boxing. The great Henry Cooper, and what a great man he was.
He was the first boxer to be knighted and to my mind that's the greatest compliment of all.
I have absolutely no doubt had he been around in this day and age he would have been the world cruiserweight champion for a very long time.
Lennox Lewis, former world heavyweight champion (via Twitter)
R.I.P. Sir Henry Cooper. Former British, Commonwealth and European Champion. My deepest condolences to the Cooper family.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/may/01/henry-cooper-true-warrior
Consumer affairs Australia cricket team Radio 1 Switzerland Mark Bright Eric Cantona
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