Muhammad Ali vs. Henry Cooper (2nd meeting)

**Challenger rankings**
Org.	Pos.	As of	Published
1+ Mth. Old
WBA	NR	03.03.1966	03.03.1966
Ring	8	20.03.1966	16.03.1966
2+ Mth. Old
WBA	NR	31.12.1965	02.01.1966
Ring	NR	~30.11.1965	by 05.12.1965
3+ Mth. Old
WBA	NR	31.12.1965	02.01.1966
Ring	NR	~30.11.1965	by 05.12.1965

Notes

Early January, Cooper's promoter Harry Levene revealed that Cooper would be lined up for the Ali rematch if he beat Hubert Hilton.[1]
Going into the Hilton fight, Cooper's manager James Wicks stated "Henry will knock him [Hilton] dead. Two rounds. Top weight". Cooper acknowledged that he had promised to tackle on Jefferson Davis on February 16, but "after that we want Ali", Wicks said. [2]
After knocking out Hilton in two rounds on January 25, Cooper called out Ali: "I'm ready to tackle Clay anytime, anywhere".[3]
Following Cooper's victory against Jefferson Davis, Wicks again reiterated that Ali vs. Cooper was very much on the cards, unless Ali got drafted to fight in the US Army.[4]
The British Boxing Board of Control further strenghtened Cooper's case by denouncing Ali's upcoming opponent George Chuvalo and claiming Cooper should fight for the title instead.[5]
On March 29, after defending his title against Chuvalo, Ali said of his next title defense: "We haven't got anything yet, but Cooper might be a good one. He knocked me down once."[6] Meanwhile, Wicks predicted a $700,000 gate if Ali scheduled the fight in the UK.[7]
Ali signed the contract on April 16.[8][9] Cooper signed it by April 17.[10]

British Henry Cooper was initially unranked. Neither WBA nor The Ring had him in the Top 10. Moreover, he was unknown in the US and had never fought there before. His promoter Harry Levene and matchmaker Mickey Duff were known for promoting mostly British fighters and fights in the UK, but had little dealings in the United States.
Meanwhile, his American opponent Hubert Hilton was ranked 9th in the monthly rankings published in early December (February 1966 issue), entering Top 10 for the first time in his career. Thus, had Cooper defeated him, his potential ascension to the Top 10 would've been given credibility.
On January 25, Cooper defeated Hilton while Eduardo Corletti defeated 3rd-ranked George Chuvalo. However, in the next monthly rankings published February 28–29 (April issue; March issue only contained annual standings), Corletti was left out; instead, Chuvalo was demoted to 8th place and Cooper was put at No. 9.
In the Ring Magazine rankings released March 16, Cooper moved up one spot to No. 8. In the rankings released on April 18, Cooper was ranked sixth. The rankings released May 31 had Cooper ranked fifth.

At 201½ pounds, Ali was at his lightest ever weight for a title fight.
46,000 fans attended the fight.
This was England's first world heavyweight title fight in 58 years.
The Associated Pres scored the first two rounds for Cooper, called the third even, and gave Ali the fourth and fifth.
The fight was stopped due to a cut over Cooper's left eye, which Ali opened early in the sixth round. The cut required 16 stitches. Sports Illustrated reported that Ali landed "a short, chopping right hand onto Cooper's left brow. The blood shot out at once. Cooper did not merely bleed, he gushed. The cut opened above and slightly to the side of the brow, near the small artery at the temple, and both fighters were immediately splashed with blood."
Cooper claimed the cut was opened by an accidental clash of heads.
Poster
Photo 2, Photo 3
See Also: Muhammad Ali vs. Henry Cooper (1st meeting)

"I'll tell Henry Cooper, he's watching this show, to come to the fight and be ready to fight because I'm coming to get you. I'm coming to London to get you. And after I'm through beating him, I think he'll have to join The Beatles and be a singer. I'm coming to get you, Henry. I don't like the way you knocked me down the last time. No man knocks me down and gets away with it, so you be ready for it, you hear? Be ready because I'm coming to get you. Now you go home and tell him that. I'm not joking." - Ali on British TV

Preceded by:
Ali vs. Chuvalo

WBC Heavyweight Title Fight
# 6

Succeeded by:
Ali vs. London