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Sir Henry Cooper: Funeral of British boxing legend | Sir Henry Cooper: Funeral of British boxing legend |
(40 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of fans have paid their last respects to heavyweight boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper. | Hundreds of fans have paid their last respects to heavyweight boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper. |
Mourners lined the streets of Oxted, in Surrey, where Sir Henry died at his son's house on 1 May aged 76. | Mourners lined the streets of Oxted, in Surrey, where Sir Henry died at his son's house on 1 May aged 76. |
They bowed their heads as the cortege bearing Sir Henry's coffin draped with the Union flag passed by on its way to a private funeral in Tonbridge, Kent. | They bowed their heads as the cortege bearing Sir Henry's coffin draped with the Union flag passed by on its way to a private funeral in Tonbridge, Kent. |
The former British, Commonwealth and European champion fought 55 times, knocking down Muhammad Ali in 1963. | The former British, Commonwealth and European champion fought 55 times, knocking down Muhammad Ali in 1963. |
London-born Sir Henry, who won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award twice, was knighted in 2000. | London-born Sir Henry, who won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award twice, was knighted in 2000. |
'British icon' | 'British icon' |
He lived in the Kent town of Hildenborough for many years, where he was chairman of his local golf club. | He lived in the Kent town of Hildenborough for many years, where he was chairman of his local golf club. |
He was known affectionately to his fans as 'Our 'Enry'. | |
Percy Battershill, 69, from Mitcham, was among the fans watching the cortege, and described Sir Henry as simply "the greatest". | Percy Battershill, 69, from Mitcham, was among the fans watching the cortege, and described Sir Henry as simply "the greatest". |
He said: "He could knock a man out with one punch. He didn't have to go 10 or 15 rounds, and on top of all of that, he was a gentleman. | He said: "He could knock a man out with one punch. He didn't have to go 10 or 15 rounds, and on top of all of that, he was a gentleman. |
"He could walk with the crowds, talk with the kings and he never lost the common touch." | "He could walk with the crowds, talk with the kings and he never lost the common touch." |
Tony Lawson, 60, an electrician and former amateur boxer from Dulwich, south London, said: "He was a boxer's boxer, he had style. He was my hero as a kid and he's still my hero now. | Tony Lawson, 60, an electrician and former amateur boxer from Dulwich, south London, said: "He was a boxer's boxer, he had style. He was my hero as a kid and he's still my hero now. |
"He's a legend and a British icon, I felt it was only right to come and say goodbye to him." | "He's a legend and a British icon, I felt it was only right to come and say goodbye to him." |
Sir Henry is considered alongside Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno and Tommy Farr as one of the great British heavyweights. | Sir Henry is considered alongside Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno and Tommy Farr as one of the great British heavyweights. |
He is best remembered for his two famous clashes with Muhammad Ali - the first when his opponent was known as Cassius Clay - in the 1960s. | He is best remembered for his two famous clashes with Muhammad Ali - the first when his opponent was known as Cassius Clay - in the 1960s. |
Responding to the news of Sir Henry's death on 1 May, Ali said he was a "great fighter and a gentleman". | Responding to the news of Sir Henry's death on 1 May, Ali said he was a "great fighter and a gentleman". |
Sporting celebrities and friends of Sir Henry attended the private service at Corpus Christi Church in Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge. | Sporting celebrities and friends of Sir Henry attended the private service at Corpus Christi Church in Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge. |
Among them was 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton, who said he would "always smile immediately he saw you" and was "great company". | Among them was 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton, who said he would "always smile immediately he saw you" and was "great company". |
A BBC documentary called, Our 'Enry: A Tribute to Sir Henry Cooper, will be broadcast on BBC Two on Saturday, 21 May at 2145 BST and repeated on BBC Two on Tuesday, 24 May at 2320 BST. | A BBC documentary called, Our 'Enry: A Tribute to Sir Henry Cooper, will be broadcast on BBC Two on Saturday, 21 May at 2145 BST and repeated on BBC Two on Tuesday, 24 May at 2320 BST. |