Thousands pay respects to late Sir Henry Cooper

Fans travelled from across the UK to Oxted, Surrey, to watch Sir Henry’s cortege make its way to his funeral service.

The boxer, known affectionately to his fans as ‘Our ‘Enry, died aged 76 at his son’s home in Oxted earlier this month.

The former British, Commonwealth and European champion fought more than 50 times, famously knocking down the unstoppable Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, in 1963.

Fans, young and old, lined the leafy suburban road where Sir Henry saw out his final days while living with his son.

Onlookers bowed their heads in unison as the cortege passed, the Union flag draping Sir Henry’s coffin bringing the only splash of colour to the sombre proceedings.
Percy Battershill, 69, from Mitcham, Surrey, spoke for many when he said Sir Henry was 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 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.”

Cooper, born in London, was crowned BBC sports personality on two occasions and was knighted in 2000.

He is considered one of the great British heavyweights alongside Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis.

Stars from the worlds of showbusiness and sport attended the funeral at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Tonbridge.

Among the congregation were former England football manager Kevin Keegan and Sir Henry’s close friend Manchester United hero Sir Bobby Charlton.

Bruce Forsyth attended the ceremony, as did Sir Terry Wogan and comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.

A boxing glove made of red roses was carried into the church prior to the service.

A floral tribute in white roses was visible from inside the hearse, which read “Our ‘Enry”.