Sir Henry Cooper and Muhammad Ali to reunite for the first time in over 20 years
Thursday 13 August 2009
An Equestrian event is probably one of the most unlikely of venues for a face to face meeting of two boxing greats.
However the Alltech FEI European Jumping & Dressage Championships 2009 (25-30 August) is set to provide the setting for such a momentous occasion. ‘The greatest of all time’ Muhammad Ali and the British Boxer who put him on his back in that controversial fight at Wembley in 1963, will meet for the first time since the mid 80s, at the event on Friday 28th August, in the private grounds of Windsor Castle.
Ali is attending the Championships to help raise awareness of the recently founded Alltech-Muhammad Ali Center Global Education and Charitable Fund.
Cooper couldn’t pass up the chance to come face to face with his old nemesis after two fights against Ali in the 60s and will join Ali in a special VIP reception ahead of Friday’s Alltech World Equestrian Games Gala Night performance.
History between the two
In June 1963, Cooper fought the then named Cassius Clay, a young up-and-coming boxer at Wembley stadium. In the dying seconds of the fourth round, Cooper caught Clay with his trademark punch ‘Enry's 'Ammer’ – a stunning left hook that sent Ali to the canvas just seconds before the bell. Then came the controversy. Clay’s trainer Angelo Dundee made worse a small tear in Clay’s gloves, which had appeared at the start of the bout and decided at that point to bring it to the referee’s attetion, thus allowing Clay some extra time before the start of the next round.
When the 5th round finally started, Cooper realised he had missed his chance to knock out the young fighter for good, as Clay ferociously attacked Cooper's cuts. Cooper’s face began streaming with blood and referee Tommy Little was forced to stop the fight in Clay’s favour.
Three years later at Arsenal’s Highbury stadium, when Cassius Clay was now Muhammad Ali and heavyweight champion of the world, Cooper challenge Ali to a title fight. This time the fight went to six rounds before Cooper was forced to surrender with cuts to his face once again.
Sir Henry Cooper said: “I’m looking forward to seeing Ali again. We haven’t met for some time and it’s always good to trade memories. People always ask me if I’m bitter about that split glove back in ’63 but I see it now as just part of the game. I hope my trainer would’ve done the same for me in similar circumstances!”
The two boxing legends will be joined by other British boxing greats in the reception and will then take part in a lap of honour around the arena in an open-top Land Rover.
Ticket Information:
Organisers have just 100 tickets for sale to the Friday night VIP reception. As demand is expected to be high, if you are interested, please email competitions@hpower.co.uk with your full contact details. 100 people will then be picked at random and contacted for payment.
Tickets for the Alltech FEI European Jumping and Dressage Championships 2009 are priced between £7 and £49 (£7, £10, £16, £22, £25, £28, £35, £45, £49). The box office telephone numbers are 0871 230 1087 (UK) and + 44 115 993 4409 (International). For online ticket bookings and further information of the confirmed programme of events please visit www.alltechwindsoreuropeans.com