Bertram Cooper (January 10, 1966 – May 10, 2019), nicknamed Smokin' Bert Cooper, was an American professional boxer who competed between 1984 and 2012. He fought Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, Chris Byrd, Ray Mercer, and Corrie Sanders, among others. Cooper challenged three times for a world title, and was known for being in several wild fights, including his world title bouts with Holyfield and Moorer.
Bert Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bertram Cooper January 10, 1966 |
| Died | May 10, 2019 (aged 53) |
| Other names | Smokin' |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 64 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 31 |
| Losses | 25 |
| No contests | 1 |
Professional career
Cooper came out of Philadelphia and was trained in his early years by ex-champ Joe Frazier, 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 rounds by No. 1 ranked heavyweight contender Carl "The Truth" Williams and in 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 claiming his NABF title. He lost the title in his first defense, 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 and then being matched on short notice with Evander Holyfield for the undisputed heavyweight championship after two opponents dropped out. Cooper came off the floor in the first round to stun Holyfield in the 3rd round (scoring the first knockdown of Holyfield in the process), the two exchanging big blows before the referee Mills Lane stopped the fight in the 7th.
The 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. Cooper's career went downhill from this point, being outpointed by veteran Mike Weaver for the obscure National Boxing Association Heavyweight title in China and then losing to prospects like Corrie Sanders, Chris Byrd, Fres Oquendo, and Joe Mesi. On June 18, 2010, Cooper, aged 44, made a successful comeback after eight years out of the ring, a sixth-round knockout of Corey Winfield in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Personal
His hometown was Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, United States. He was 5'11" (180 cm) tall. He died on May 10, 2019, from pancreatic cancer at the age of 53.[1][2]
Professional boxing record
| 64 fights | 38 wins | 25 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 31 | 16 |
| By decision | 7 | 8 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | Loss | 38–25 (1) |  Carl Davis
|
TKO | 2 (6), 2:32 | Sep 8, 2012 | Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana, U.S.
|
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| 63 | Loss | 38–24 (1) |  Chauncy Welliver
|
UD | 10 | Apr 5, 2012 | Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, Missouri, U.S.
|
For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 62 | Loss | 38–23 (1) |  Luis Ortiz
|
TKO | 2 (10), 1:29 | Apr 23, 2011 | Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo, Miami, Florida, U.S.
|
|
| 61 | Win | 38–22 (1) | Gabe Brown
|
SD | 6 | Feb 26, 2011 | Club Europe, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
|
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| 60 | Win | 37–22 (1) | Corey Winfield
|
KO | 6 (6), 2:21 | Jun 18, 2010 | Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
|
|
| 59 | Loss | 36–22 (1) | Darroll Wilson
|
RTD | 4 (10), 3:00 | Sep 20, 2002 | Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
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| 58 | Win | 36–21 (1) | Craig Tomlinson
|
UD | 10 | Jun 22, 2002 | Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
Won USA Pennsylvania State heavyweight title |
| 57 | Loss | 35–21 (1) | Joe Mesi
|
TKO | 7 (10), 0:41 | Jul 27, 2001 | Civic Center, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 56 | Loss | 35–20 (1) | Fres Oquendo
|
UD | 10 | Oct 16, 1999 | Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Indiana, U.S.
|
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| 55 | Win | 35–19 (1) | Brian Yates
|
TKO | 4 (10), 2:10 | Jun 19, 1999 | Genesis Center, Gary, Indiana, U.S.
|
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| 54 | Loss | 34–19 (1) | Derrick Jefferson
|
TKO | 2 (10), 1:02 | Mar 4, 1999 | Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
|
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| 53 | Loss | 34–18 (1) | Anthony Green
|
UD | 8 | Sep 19, 1997 | Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
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| 52 | Win | 34–17 (1) | Richie Melito
|
KO | 1 (12), 1:51 | Jul 29, 1997 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
Won WBF heavyweight title |
| 51 | Loss | 33–17 (1) |  Samson Po'uha
|
TKO | 4 (10), 1:36 | Apr 22, 1997 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
|
|
| 50 | Loss | 33–16 (1) | Chris Byrd
|
UD | 10 | Mar 18, 1997 | IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, U.S.
|
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| 49 | Loss | 33–15 (1) |  Alexander Zolkin
|
TKO | 9 (12), 2:50 | Jun 23, 1995 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
For NABF heavyweight title |
| 48 | Win | 33–14 (1) | George Harris
|
KO | 1 (10) | Jul 30, 1994 | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
|
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| 47 | Loss | 32–14 (1) | Jeremy Williams
|
DQ | 7 (10), 1:48 | Jun 24, 1994 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
Cooper DQ'd for purposefully spitting mouthpiece |
| 46 | Win | 32–13 (1) |  Joe Savage
|
KO | 1 (10), 1:41 | Apr 22, 1994 |  Civic Arena, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
|
|
| 45 | Loss | 31–13 (1) | Larry Donald
|
TKO | 7 (12), 1:16 | Apr 14, 1994 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
|
For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title |
| 44 | Loss | 31–12 (1) |  Craig Petersen
|
SD | 3 | Dec 3, 1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.
|
People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament |
| 43 | Win | 31–11 (1) | Mike Robinson
|
TKO | 3 (10), 2:59 | Nov 28, 1993 | Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 42 | Loss | 30–11 (1) |  Corrie Sanders
|
TKO | 3 (10), 1:26 | Jun 26, 1993 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 41 | Win | 30–10 (1) | Derek Williams
|
UD | 10 | Mar 25, 1993 | Harrah's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 40 | Loss | 29–10 (1) | Mike Weaver
|
UD | 10 | Feb 27, 1993 |  Capital City Gymnasium, Beijing, China
|
For vacant NBA heavyweight title |
| 39 | Win | 29–9 (1) | Rocky Pepeli
|
TKO | 8 (10), 2:10 | Sep 15, 1992 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
|
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| 38 | Win | 28–9 (1) | David Jaco
|
UD | 10 | Jul 11, 1992 | Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
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| 37 | Loss | 27–9 (1) | Michael Moorer
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TKO | 5 (12), 2:21 | May 15, 1992 | Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
For vacant WBO heavyweight title |
| 36 | Win | 27–8 (1) | Cecil Coffee
|
TKO | 2 (10), 1:24 | Feb 15, 1992 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
|
| 35 | Loss | 26–8 (1) | Evander Holyfield
|
TKO | 7 (12), 2:58 | Nov 23, 1991 | The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
|
For WBA and IBF heavyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 26–7 (1) | Joe Hipp
|
TKO | 5 (10), 1:01 | Oct 18, 1991 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 33 | Win | 25–7 (1) | Anthony Wade
|
TKO | 8 (19), 1:36 | Aug 8, 1991 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 32 | Win | 24–7 (1) | Conroy Nelson
|
TKO | 9 (10), 2:23 | May 11, 1991 | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
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| 31 | Win | 23–7 (1) | Loren Ross
|
TKO | 8 (10), 1:16 | Feb 26, 1991 | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
|
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| 30 | Loss | 22–7 (1) | Riddick Bowe
|
KO | 2 (10), 3:09 | Oct 25, 1990 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
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| 29 | Loss | 22–6 (1) | Ray Mercer
|
UD | 12 | Aug 5, 1990 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
Lost NABF heavyweight title |
| 28 | Win | 22–5 (1) | Orlin Norris
|
TKO | 8 (13), 1:34 | Feb 17, 1990 | Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
Won NABF heavyweight title |
| 27 | NC | 21–5 (1) | Mike Cohen
|
NC | 8 | Dec 9, 1989 | Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
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| 26 | Win | 21–5 | Rick Hoard
|
TKO | 1 (6), 1:23 | Sep 28, 1989 | Finky's Bar, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
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| 25 | Loss | 20–5 | George Foreman
|
RTD | 2 (10), 3:00 | Jun 1, 1989 | Pride Pavilion, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
|
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| 24 | Loss | 20–4 | Nate Miller
|
RTD | 6 (12), 3:00 | Feb 15, 1989 | Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
Lost NABF cruiserweight title |
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | Tony Morrison
|
TKO | 9 (12), 2:59 | Sep 27, 1988 | Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
Retained NABF cruiserweight title |
| 22 | Loss | 19–3 | Everett Martin
|
UD | 10 | Jun 1, 1988 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
|
| 21 | Win | 19–2 | Tony Fulilangi
|
TKO | 4 (12), 2:44 | Mar 15, 1988 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained NABF cruiserweight title |
| 20 | Win | 18–2 | Tim Bullock
|
TKO | 3 (10) | Dec 4, 1987 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Andre McCall
|
TKO | 6 (12), 2:54 | Nov 20, 1987 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
Retained NABF cruiserweight title |
| 18 | Loss | 16–2 | Carl Williams
|
RTD | 7 (12), 3:00 | Jun 21, 1987 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
For vacant USBA heavyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | Willie de Wit
|
TKO | 2 (10), 2:58 | Feb 14, 1987 | Regina Agridome, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
|
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| 16 | Win | 15–1 | Carlos Hernández
|
TKO | 8 (10), 1:04 | Dec 2, 1986 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Spencer Chavis
|
TKO | 3 (12), 1:03 | Oct 10, 1986 | Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained NABF cruiserweight title |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Tyrone Booze
|
SD | 12 | Aug 26, 1986 | Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
|
Retained NABF cruiserweight title |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Henry Tillman
|
UD | 12 | Jun 15, 1986 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
Won NABF cruiserweight title |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Oscar Holman
|
TKO | 10 (10), 0:31 | Apr 18, 1986 | Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 11 | Loss | 10–1 | Reggie Gross
|
TKO | 8 (10), 1:24 | Jan 31, 1986 | Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Cedric Parsons
|
KO | 1 (10), 0:46 | Dec 12, 1985 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Ray Davison | UD | 6 | Oct 9, 1985 | Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Tim Davenport
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TKO | 1 (6), 1:59 | Aug 3, 1985 | Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Larry Givens
|
TKO | 3 (6), 2:22 | May 20, 1985 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
|
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| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jim Jones
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KO | 1 (6), 0:59 | May 9, 1985 | Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Lorenzo Boyd
|
KO | 1 (6) | Apr 18, 1985 | Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
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| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Alvin Fuggs | KO | 1 (6), 1:14 | Feb 23, 1985 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Ian Priest
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TKO | 1 (6), 1:00 | Nov 24, 1984 | Leisure Centre, Gateshead, England
|
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| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Mark Young
|
TKO | 2 (4), 2:18 | Oct 30, 1984 | Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
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| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Dennis Caldwell
|
KO | 1 (4), 1:28 | Sep 11, 1984 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
|
References
- ^ "Heavyweight Bert Cooper Dead at 53 from Pancreatic Cancer".
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (15 May 2019). "Bert Cooper, Boxer Who Knocked Down Holyfield, Dies at 53". The New York Times.
External links
- Boxing record for Bert Cooper from BoxRec (registration required)