Brian London vs. Henry Cooper (2nd meeting)
Henry Cooper 192 lbs beat Brian London 208 lbs by PTS in round 15 of 15
- Date: 1959-01-12
- Location: Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, United Kingdom
- Referee: Ike Powell
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"Henry Cooper, encouraged by his upset victory over Brian London that earned him the British and Empire heavyweight titles, today demanded a $140,000 guarantee before he dares step into the same ring with world champion Floyd Patterson. Cooper suffered the only knockdown of last night's brawl before 18,000 at Earl's Court Arena when a hard right to the chin in the 5th round dropped him to one knee. However, he jumped to his feet before referee Ike Powell started to count. London continued to blast away at his rival and in the 7th it appeared the fight would be stopped because Cooper's face was a mask of blood. But then Cooper started to rally. Employing a rugged body attack mixed with left jabs to the head, Cooper soon slowed down London's bull-like rushes and eventually took command in the 9th round. Both fighters were bleeding profusely when referee Powell raised Cooper's hand in victory at the finish." -United Press International
- *Unofficial AP scorecard (the UPI did not turn in a card) - 11-4 Cooper
- *At the finish Cooper was bleeding from the nose and cuts above and below the left eye. London was bleeding from cuts above and below the right as well as from the nose and mouth.
- *Although Cooper had signed an earlier contract with British Promoter Harry Levene agreeing to a $72,000 guarantee to fight Patterson, he now demanded $140,000.
Post fight comment
- "There are at least two other heavyweights in the running for a title shot at Patterson. Cooper may be more valuable than London at the gate, but London is not eliminated. He put up a good fight last night. Many people are anxious to fight for the world heavyweight championship. None of them is in a position to dictate to the champion." -Cus D'Amato, Patterson's manager, balking at Cooper's demand.