Bert Cooper

For other people named Bert Cooper, see Bert Cooper (disambiguation).

Bert Cooper
Statistics
Real name Bertram Cooper
Nickname(s) Smokin'
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Nationality American
Born (1966-01-10) January 10, 1966
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 63
Wins 38
Wins by KO 31
Losses 25
Draws 0
No contests 1

Bertram Cooper (born January 10, 1966), nicknamed Smokin' Bert Cooper, is a heavyweight boxer, most famous for his punching power and several wild brawls in the 1990s.

Pro 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 defence, 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 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, 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 an obscure title in China 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 is Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, United States. He is 5'11" (180 cm) tall.

Professional boxing record

38 Wins (31 knockouts), 25 Losses, 0 Draws, 1 No Contest
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 38–25
1 NC
United States Carl Davis TKO 2 (6) 08/09/2012 United States Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana
Loss 38–24
1 NC
New Zealand Chauncy Welliver UD 10 05/04/2012 United States Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City, Missouri For WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title.
Loss 38–23
1 NC
Cuba Luis Ortiz TKO 2 (10) 23/04/2011 United States Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo, Miami, Florida, United States Cooper down twice in round 2.
Win 38–22
1 NC
United States Gabe Brown SD 10 26/02/2011 United States Club Europe, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 37–22
1 NC
United States Corey Winfield KO 6 (6) 18/06/2010 United States Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
Loss 36–22
1 NC
United States Darroll Wilson TKO 4 (?) 20/09/2002 United States Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 36–21
1 NC
United States Craig Tomlinson UD 10 22/06/2002 United States Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States Won USA Pennsylvania State heavyweight title.
Loss 35–21
1 NC
United States Joe Mesi TKO 7 (10) 27/07/2001 United States Civic Center, Niagara Falls, New York, United States Cooper down once in the 2nd & twice in the 7th.
Loss 35–20
1 NC
United States Fres Oquendo UD 10 16/10/1999 United States Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Indiana, United States
Win 35–19
1 NC
United States Brian Yates TKO 4 (10) 19/06/1999 United States Genesis Center, Gary, Indiana, United States
Loss 34–19
1 NC
United States Derrick Jefferson TKO 2 (10) 04/03/1999 United States Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Loss 34–18
1 NC
United States Anthony Green UD 8 19/09/1997 United States Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 34–17
1 NC
United States Richie Melito KO 1 (12) 29/07/1997 United States MSG Theater, New York, New York, United States Won WBF Heavyweight title.
Loss 33–17
1 NC
Tonga Samson Po'uha TKO 4 (12) 22/04/1997 United States The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Loss 33–16
1 NC
United States Chris Byrd UD 10 18/03/1997 United States IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States
Loss 33–15
1 NC
Russia Alexander Zolkin TKO 9 (12) 23/06/1995 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 33–14
1 NC
United States George Harris KO 1 (?) 30/07/1994 United States Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Loss 32–14
1 NC
United States Jeremy Williams DQ 7 (10) 24/06/1994 United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 32–13
1 NC
United Kingdom Joe Savage KO 1 (10) 22/04/1994 Canada Civic Arena, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 31–13
1 NC
United States Larry Donald TKO 7 (12) 14/04/1994 United States Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States For WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title.
Loss 31–12
1 NC
Australia Craig Petersen SD 3 03/12/1993 United States Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States "People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight.
Win 31–11
1 NC
United States Mike Robinson TKO 3 (?) 18/11/1993 United States Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 30–11
1 NC
South Africa Corrie Sanders TKO 3 (10) 26/06/1993 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Cooper was knocked down once in the 3rd.
Win 30–10
1 NC
United Kingdom Derek Williams UD 10 25/03/1993 United States Harrah's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 29–10
1 NC
United States Mike Weaver UD 10 27/02/1993 China Capital City Gymnasium, Beijing, China For vacant NBA Heavyweight title.
Win 29–9
1 NC
United States Rocky Pepeli TKO 8 (10) 15/09/1992 United States War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 28–9
1 NC
United States David Jaco UD 10 11/07/1992 United States Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Loss 27–9
1 NC
United States Michael Moorer TKO 5 (12) 15/05/1992 United States Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For vacant WBO Heavyweight title. Moorer down in 1st and 3rd; Cooper down in 1st and 5th. Fight was named KO Magazine Fight of the Year in 1992.
Win 27–8
1 NC
United States Cecil Coffee TKO 2 (10) 15/02/1992 United States Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Coffee down once in the 1st and once in the 2nd.
Loss 26–8
1 NC
United States Evander Holyfield TKO 7 (12) 23/11/1991 United States The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, United States For WBA & IBF Heavyweight titles. Cooper down in round 1. In round 3 Holyfield down for the first time in his career.
Win 26–7
1 NC
United States Joe Hipp TKO 5 (10) 18/10/1991 United States Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Fight stopped due to excessive swelling around Hipp's eyes.
Win 25–7
1 NC
United States Anthony Wade TKO 8 (8) 08/08/1991 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 24–7
1 NC
Canada Conroy Nelson TKO 9 (10) 11/05/1991 Canada Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Win 23–7
1 NC
United States Loren Ross TKO 8 (10) 26/02/1991 United States Birmingham, Alabama, United States Ross was hospitalised after this fight.
Loss 22–7
1 NC
United States Riddick Bowe KO 2 (10) 25/10/1990 United States Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 22–6
1 NC
United States Ray Mercer UD 12 05/08/1990 United States Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Lost NABF Heavyweight title. Cooper down in round 1.
Win 22–5
1 NC
United States Orlin Norris TKO 8 (12) 17/02/1990 Canada Northlands Coliseum, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Won NABF Heavyweight title. Behind on points, Norris twists his knee in the 8th and is unable to continue.
NC 21–5
1 NC
United States Mike Cohen ND 8 (?) 09/12/1989 United States Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Win 21–5 United States Rick Hoard TKO 1 (6) 28/09/1989 United States Finky's Bar, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
Loss 20–5 United States George Foreman RTD 2 (10) 01/06/1989 United States Pride Pavilion, Phoenix, Arizona, United States Foreman landed several big hooks to the body in round 1 that hurt Cooper. In round 2, he continued to work the body and landed a solid right hook that stung Cooper. Cooper remained on his stool and did not answer the bell to begin the 3rd round.
Loss 20–4 United States Nate Miller TKO 7 (12) 15/02/1989 United States Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Lost NABF Cruiserweight title. Cooper does not come out for round 7.
Win 20–3 Canada Tony Morrison TKO 9 (12) 27/09/1988 Canada Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Morrison down 3 times from body shots in round 9, causing the automatic stoppage pursuant to the three-knockdown rule.
Loss 19–3 United States Everett Martin UD 10 01/06/1988 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 19–2 Tonga Tony Fulilangi TKO 4 (12) 15/03/1988 United States Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Fulilangi was cut on the side of the nose by a Cooper punch in round 3. In round 4, as Fulilangi landed with both hands, Cooper responded with a right hand to the head that sent Fulilangi sprawling onto the canvas.
Win 18–2 United States Tim Bullock TKO 3 (10) 04/12/1987 United States Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Corner retirement.
Win 17–2 United States Andre McCall TKO 6 (12) 20/11/1987 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. McCall down in the 6th round.
Loss 16–2 United States Carl Williams RTD 8 (12) 21/06/1987 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For vacant USBA Heavyweight title.
Win 16–1 Canada Willie de Wit TKO 2 (10) 14/02/1987 Canada Regina Agridome, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Win 15–1 Cuba Carlos Hernandez TKO 8 (10) 02/12/1986 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 14–1 United States Spencer Chavis TKO 8 (10) 10/10/1986 United States Showboat Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. With this win Cooper becomes the first fighter to successfully defend the NABF Cruiserweight title on two occasions.
Win 13–1 United States Tyrone Booze SD 12 26/08/1986 United States Stateline, Nevada, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. After the split decision verdict in favour of Cooper was announced, Booze shook his head in disappointment and walked straight out of the ring.
Win 12–1 United States Henry Tillman UD 12 15/06/1986 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. Tillman down twice in round 2, the first time as a result of a left hook and the second time from an overhand right to the head.
Win 11–1 United States Oscar Holman TKO 10 (10) 18/04/1986 United States Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 10–1 United States Reggie Gross TKO 8 (10) 31/01/1986 United States Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 10–0 Canada Cedric Parsons KO 1 (10) 11/12/1985 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 9–0 Ray Davison UD 6 09/10/1985 United States Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 8–0 United States Tim Davenport TKO 1 (?) 03/08/1985 United States Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 7–0 United States Larry Givens TKO 3 (6) 20/05/1985 United States Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 United States Jim "Kool Aid" Jones KO 1 (6) 09/05/1985 United States Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–0 United States Lorenzo Boyd KO 1 (?) 18/04/1985 United States Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Win 4–0 Alvin Fuggs KO 1 (?) 23/02/1985 United States Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 3–0 United Kingdom Ian Priest TKO 1 (6) 24/11/1984 United Kingdom Leisure Centre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom
Win 2–0 United States Mark Young TKO 2 (4) 30/10/1984 United States Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 1–0 United States Dennis Caldwell KO 1 (?) 11/09/1984 United States Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Henry Tillman
NABF Cruiserweight Champion
15 June 1986 15 February 1989
Succeeded by
Nate Miller
Preceded by
Orlin Norris
NABF Heavyweight Champion
17 February 1990 5 August 1990
Succeeded by
Ray Mercer
Preceded by
Lionel Butler
Stripped
WBF Heavyweight Champion
July 29, 1997 January 29, 1998
Stripped
Succeeded by
Joe Bugner
Preceded by
Roy Williams
USA Pennsylvania State Heavyweight Champion
June 22, 2002 – September 9, 2005
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Eddie Chambers
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