A few months ago I hosted the Variety Club of Great Britain Golfing Society's tribute to their former captain Sir Henry Cooper.It was an honour.Among the tributes to this modest,friendly,down to earth boxing legend were those from Jimmy Tarbutt,top writer Colin Hart, and former World champion John Conteh.Afterwards I asked him to sign my menu after sitting at his table.He did so and thanked me for the nice things I said about Henry.Typical of him.
Henry looked frail.He was going deaf and his body would no longer allow him to play his golf.He was recovering from recently losing his identical twin brother George and he would never recover from losing his wife Albina two years earlier.Indeed the day after our event he flew to Italy to scatter her ashes in her native country. His emotions must have been an ordeal for him.Albina had been his rock.Sir Henry,the only boxer to be Knighted was one of the truly great English sporting heroes.The punch that floored Cassius Clay will live on forever as will his image.The passing of a proper man.
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