Bert Cooper

Bertram Cooper (born January 10, 1966), also known as Smokin' Bert Cooper is a heavyweight boxer.

Pro Career

Cooper came out of Philadelphia and was trained in his early years by ex-champ Joe Frazier. He gained attention and rose in the rankings with a series of explosive knockouts in the Cruiserweight division. Unable to get a world title shot despite winning the NABF belt and defeating Olympic gold medallist Henry Tillman and future world champion Tyrone Booze, he began boxing in the heavyweight division, knocking out Willie DeWitt in 2 rounds but being stopped in 8 round by numer 1 ranked heavyweight contender Carl 'The Truth' Williams and 2 rounds by George Foreman.

In 1990 having failed to secure a Cruiserweight world title fight Cooper moved to Heavyweight permanently, knocking out top 5 ranked Orlin Norris and claming his NABF title. He lost the title in his first defence, outpointed over 12 by undefeated Olympic gold medallist Ray Mercer in an explosive brawl. Later the same year he was KO'd in 2 rounds by fast-rising Riddick Bowe and his career looked over. However Cooper bounced back in 1991, stopping Joe Hipp in 5 rounds then being matched on short notice with Evander Holyfield for the undisputed heavyweight championship after two opponents dropped out. In a rousing bout Cooper came off the floor in the first round to deck Holyfield in the 3rd, the two exchanging huge blows before the referee saved Cooper in the 7th.

The spectacular fight made Cooper a big name and he would be matched in many high profile fights over the years. In June 1992 he boxed undefeated Michael Moorer for the vacant WBO title, knocking Moorer down twice but also going down twice himself before being stopped in the 5th. The hard living lifestyle of Cooper (he battled drug addicition throughout his career) took its toll and his career went downhill from this point, being outpointed by veteran Mike Weaver for an obscure title in China then losing to prospects like Corrie Sanders, Chris Byrd, Fres Oquendo, and Joe Mesi. He has accumulated many losses having boxed long past his prime, and is still boxing as of writing in 2010, aged 44.

Personal

His hometown is Sharon hill,Pennsylvania, USA. He is 5'11" (180 cm) tall.

External links

• Boxing record for Bert Cooper from BoxRec (registration required)