Sir Henry Cooper dies, aged 76

The most popular British boxer of all-time, Sir Henry Cooper, has died at the age of 76 at his son's house in Oxted, Surrey.

The former British, Commonwealth and European champion fought 55 times (40-14-1) and is best known for the cracking left hook - 'Enry's 'Ammer' - which knocked down Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, in their 1963 match.

The humble, gentlemanly London-born Cooper's popularity was best reflected by three things - his simple nickname of Our 'Enry; the fact he won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award twice; and following that, a knighthood in 2000.

Cooper's amateur career included an appearance as an 18-year-old in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and he turned professional at 20 in 1954 at the same time as his twin brother George, who died last year.

He went on to enjoy a hugely successful professional career though came up short in his one tilt at the biggest prize in sport, being stopped, unsurprisingly on cuts, in a return match with Ali 45 years ago this month.

Cooper retired, aged 36, on a huge wave of public sympathy in 1971 after losing a hugely controversial points decision to Joe Bugner for all three of his major titles.

He is the only British boxer to have won three Lonsdale belts outright.

Following his retirement, Cooper pursued a successful career in television as a pundit and was also a published author. He was a captain on the BBC quiz show A Question of Sport and was a massively popular figure in the 70s and 80s as he fronted an advertising campaign with Kevin Keegan for Brut after shave.

It is perhaps fitting to end with a tribute from the man he is inextricably linked with in boxing history, Muhammad Ali.

"I am at a loss for words over the death of my friend.

"I was not aware he was ill. I visited him two summers ago during a brief visit to Windsor as part of the Equestrian Games being held there. He was in good humour and looked quite fit.

"Henry always had a smile for me; a warm and embracing smile. It was always a pleasure being in Henry's company.

"I will miss my old friend. He was a great fighter and a gentleman.

"My family and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and loved ones."