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

(1966-01-10)January 10, 1966
DiedMay 10, 2019(2019-05-10) (aged 53)
Other namesSmokin'
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights64
Wins38
Wins by KO31
Losses25
No contests1

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.
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.
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.
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.
55 Win 35–19 (1)   Brian Yates TKO 4 (10), 2:10 Jun 19, 1999   Genesis Center, Gary, Indiana, U.S.
54 Loss 34–19 (1)   Derrick Jefferson TKO 2 (10), 1:02 Mar 4, 1999   Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
53 Loss 34–18 (1)   Anthony Green UD 8 Sep 19, 1997   Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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.
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.
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.
41 Win 30–10 (1)   Derek Williams UD 10 Mar 25, 1993   Harrah's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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.
38 Win 28–9 (1)   David Jaco UD 10 Jul 11, 1992   Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
37 Loss 27–9 (1)   Michael Moorer 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.
33 Win 25–7 (1)   Anthony Wade TKO 8 (19), 1:36 Aug 8, 1991   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
32 Win 24–7 (1)   Conroy Nelson TKO 9 (10), 2:23 May 11, 1991   Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
31 Win 23–7 (1)   Loren Ross TKO 8 (10), 1:16 Feb 26, 1991   Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
30 Loss 22–7 (1)   Riddick Bowe KO 2 (10), 3:09 Oct 25, 1990   Mirage Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
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.
26 Win 21–5   Rick Hoard TKO 1 (6), 1:23 Sep 28, 1989   Finky's Bar, Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
25 Loss 20–5   George Foreman RTD 2 (10), 3:00 Jun 1, 1989   Pride Pavilion, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
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.
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
16 Win 15–1   Carlos Hernández TKO 8 (10), 1:04 Dec 2, 1986   Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
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.
11 Loss 10–1   Reggie Gross TKO 8 (10), 1:24 Jan 31, 1986   Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 10–0   Cedric Parsons KO 1 (10), 0:46 Dec 12, 1985   Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Ray Davison UD 6 Oct 9, 1985   Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 8–0   Tim Davenport TKO 1 (6), 1:59 Aug 3, 1985   Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7 Win 7–0   Larry Givens TKO 3 (6), 2:22 May 20, 1985   Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0   Jim Jones KO 1 (6), 0:59 May 9, 1985   Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 5–0   Lorenzo Boyd KO 1 (6) Apr 18, 1985   Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Alvin Fuggs KO 1 (6), 1:14 Feb 23, 1985   Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0   Ian Priest TKO 1 (6), 1:00 Nov 24, 1984   Leisure Centre, Gateshead, England
2 Win 2–0   Mark Young TKO 2 (4), 2:18 Oct 30, 1984   Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1 Win 1–0   Dennis Caldwell KO 1 (4), 1:28 Sep 11, 1984   Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

References

  1. ^ "Heavyweight Bert Cooper Dead at 53 from Pancreatic Cancer".
  2. ^ Sandomir, Richard (15 May 2019). "Bert Cooper, Boxer Who Knocked Down Holyfield, Dies at 53". The New York Times.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by NABF Cruiserweight Champion
15 June 1986 – 15 February 1989
Succeeded by
Preceded by NABF Heavyweight Champion
17 February 1990 – 5 August 1990
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Lionel Butler
Stripped
WBF Heavyweight Champion
July 29, 1997 – January 29, 1998
Stripped
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Roy Williams
USA Pennsylvania State Heavyweight Champion
June 22, 2002 – September 9, 2005
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Eddie Chambers