What year did Henry Cooper fight Muhammad Ali?

Answer 1

Sir Henry Cooper, the English heavyweight boxer known for his left hook, twice faught Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammed Ali).

Their first bout took place on June 18, 1963 in a non-title match at Wembley Stadium, just outside of London, England. Near the end of the fourth round of that match, Cooper landed his trademark left hook on Clay, knocking him onto the ropes (which prevented his fall to the canvass). The referree reached a count of five before Clay rose with his arms dangling at his side, an easy target for Cooper - but then the bell rang, ending that round. Clay won the fight after it was stopped in the fifth round due to deep cuts over Cooper's eyes.

Their second bout took place on May 21, 1966 in Highbury Stadium in London. Clay had changed his name to Ali, and was now the world heavyweight champion. This time, the fight was stopped after a severe cut on Cooper led to his being unable to finish the sixth round. Ali won on a Technical Knockout, although Cooper was ahead at the time on the scorecards.

Cooper passed away on May 1, 2011, just two days shy of his 77th birthday.