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Tributes paid to Sir Henry Cooper at funeral

Sir Henry Cooper's fights with Muhammad Ali entered into boxing lore © PA Photos

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The boxing world said goodbye to Sir Henry Cooper at his funeral on Wednesday.

The former European heavyweight champion, who famously knocked down Muhammad Ali in 1963, was laid to rest at a private ceremony in Tonbridge, Kent, after the procession had travelled through Oxted in Surrey, where he lived later in life.

The boxer died aged 76 at his son's home in Oxted earlier this month.

Many hundreds of people turned out and lined the streets to pay their final respects to the man known affectionately as 'Our 'Enry', bowing their heads as the cortege bearing his coffin - draped with the Union flag - drove through towards Tonbridge.

Joe Bugner, Cooper's final opponent in the ring, paid tribute to the legend from his home in Australia.

"Henry transcended boxing and all the brashness and arrogance that often goes with it," Bugner told the Mirror. "Cassius Clay walked into the ring wearing a king's crown and cloak, but Henry still dumped him on his backside. In that moment, he was the world heavyweight champion Britain never had.

"In a hundred years from now, nobody will remember Frank Bruno, Lennox Lewis or David Haye - they will just be footnotes in the archives. But Henry Cooper will still be revered because his name will live on as a people's champion and a national treasure."

Sporting celebrities and friends of Sir Henry attended the private service at Corpus Christi Church in Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge. 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton was among them, the former Manchester United and England footballer saying Cooper would "always smile immediately when he saw you" and was "great company".

Supporters also turned out in their droves throughout the day, with Percy Battershill, 69, from Mitcham, describing Sir Henry as simply "the greatest".

"He could knock a man out with one punch. He didn't have to go 10 or 15 rounds, and on top of all of that, he was a gentleman," Battershill said. "He could walk with the crowds, talk with the kings and he never lost the common touch."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.