Fight:15603

Bert Cooper 233 lbs beat Richie Melito 221 lbs by KO at 1:51 in round 1 of 12

• Date: 1997-07-29
• Location: Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Wayne Kelly
• Judge: Luis Rivera
• Judge: Melvina Lathan
• Judge: Steve Weisfeld

World Boxing Federation World Heavyweight Title Bout

• The WBF World Heavyweight champion was never regarded as 'the' heavyweight champion. Cooper won that title here.
• Bert Cooper exposed the 18-0 padded record of New York State Heavyweight champion Richie Melito. Only career loss for Melito.