British heavyweight great Cooper dies

LONDON -- Former heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper, one of Britain's most popular sportsmen who was best known for knocking down Muhammad Ali while he was still known as Cassius Clay, died Sunday in Surrey. He was 76.

The first boxer to be knighted and receive the title "Sir" from a British monarch, Cooper was 40-14-1 in his 16-year career and held the British, European and Commonwealth titles. He retired in 1971.

"I am at a loss for words over the death of my friend, Henry Cooper," Ali said in a statement.

Cooper floored Ali, then an up-and-coming contender named Clay, in a 1963 non-title fight at Wembley Stadium. Cooper threw a trademark left hook -- known by fans and British boxing writers as "'Enry's 'Ammer" -- toward the end of the fourth round, catching the much larger Ali flush on the jaw and sending him through the ropes and onto the canvas.

Ali won the bout by technical knockout in the next round while trailing on the scorecard.

The two fought again in 1966 at London's Highbury Stadium. This time, Ali came in as the world champion and retained his belt by stopping a bloodied Cooper in the sixth round.-- AP