Boxing stars pays tribute to the late late Sir Henry Cooper

Tributes are continuing to pour in for the late Sir Henry Cooper, 76, who died yesterday after a prolonged illness. Former three-time world champion Muhammad Ali has revealed his shock at his friends death as he was never told that the former British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion was ill.

"I am at a loss for words over the death of my friend, Henry Cooper," said Ali in a statement on Sunday night.

“I was not aware he was ill. I visited with him two summers ago during a brief visit to Windsor as part of the Equestrian Games being held there.

“He was in good humour and looked quite fit. Henry always had a smile for me; a warm and embracing smile. It was always a pleasure being in Henry's company. I will miss my ole friend. He was a great fighter and a gentleman."

Top Rank boss Bob Arum has also paid tribute to the man, who in 1963, almost became the first man to beat the great Ali.

"Henry was a real gent and that was apparent from first to last when we dealt with him in London when Ali fought there against him for the first time."

"There was something special about him as a personality and of course, he belonged to a different age. He was a gracious man. He carried himself with dignity at all times. Later, he became an elder statesman and was one of the good guys in boxing. He will be sadly missed. I know Ali enjoyed seeing him in Windsor two years ago when Ali visited. A legend has gone. He won't be forgotten.”

On British shores, current world champions David Haye and Amir Khan has expressed their sorrow on the loss of what of the UK’s great characters of the game.

"He was at all the charity dinners and what-not and we'd talk to each other and he'd give me advice and wish me luck, give me his opinion on what he thought I should do and it was always sound advice.

"He'd let you know his opinion - whether you wanted to hear it or not! - and I believe the advice he's given me over the years is working out because I'm now the heavyweight champion of the world."

Amir Khan said: "He had everything. I remember meeting him a few times and he came across very humble, we had a good conversation about my own career.