| Bert Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Bertram Cooper |
| Nickname(s) | Smokin' |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | January 10, 1966 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 62 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Wins by KO | 31 |
| Losses | 23 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 1 |
Bertram Cooper (born January 10, 1966), also known as Smokin' Bert Cooper is a heavyweight boxer, most famous for his devastating punching power and several wild brawls in the 1990s.
Contents |
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 numer 1 ranked heavyweight contender Carl "The Truth" Williams and 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 claming 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. In a rousing bout Cooper came off the floor in the first round to deck Holyfield in the 3rd, the two exchanging huge blows before the referee saved Cooper in the 7th.
The spectacular 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. The hard living lifestyle of Cooper (he battled drug addicition throughout his career) took its toll and his 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.
His hometown is Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, USA. He is 5'11" (180 cm) tall.
| 38 Wins (31 knockouts, 7 decisions), 23 Losses (15 knockouts, 8 decision), 0 Draws, 1 No Contest [1] | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 38–23 1 NC |
Luis Ortiz | TKO | 2 (10) | 23/04/2011 | Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo, Miami, Florida, United States | Cooper down twice in round 2. |
| Win | 38–22 1 NC |
Gabe Brown | SD | 10 | 26/02/2011 | Club Europe, Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 37–22 1 NC |
Corey Winfield | KO | 6 (6) | 18/06/2010 | Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 36–22 1 NC |
Darroll Wilson | TKO | 4 (?) | 20/09/2002 | Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 36–21 1 NC |
Craig Tomlinson | UD | 10 | 22/06/2002 | Sovereign Center, Reading, Pennsylvania, United States | Won USA Pennsylvania State heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 35–21 1 NC |
Joe Mesi | TKO | 7 (10) | 27/07/2001 | Civic Center, Niagara Falls, New York, United States | Cooper down once in the 2nd & twice in the 7th. |
| Loss | 35–20 1 NC |
Fres Oquendo | UD | 10 | 16/10/1999 | Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 35–19 1 NC |
Brian Yates | TKO | 4 (10) | 19/06/1999 | Genesis Center, Gary, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 34–19 1 NC |
Derrick Jefferson | TKO | 2 (10) | 04/03/1999 | Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States | |
| Loss | 34–18 1 NC |
Anthony Green | UD | 8 | 19/09/1997 | Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 34–17 1 NC |
Richie Melito | KO | 1 (12) | 29/07/1997 | MSG Theater, New York, New York, United States | Won WBF Heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 33–17 1 NC |
Samson Po'uha | TKO | 4 (12) | 22/04/1997 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States | |
| Loss | 33–16 1 NC |
Chris Byrd | UD | 10 | 18/03/1997 | IMA Center, Flint, Michigan, United States | |
| Loss | 33–15 1 NC |
Alexander Zolkin | TKO | 9 (12) | 23/06/1995 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | For NABF Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 33–14 1 NC |
George Harris | KO | 1 (?) | 30/07/1994 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 32–14 1 NC |
Jeremy Williams | DQ | 7 (10) | 24/06/1994 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 32–13 1 NC |
Joe Savage | KO | 1 (10) | 22/04/1994 | Civic Arena, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 31–13 1 NC |
Larry Donald | TKO | 7 (12) | 14/04/1994 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States | For WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight title. |
| Loss | 31–12 1 NC |
Craig Petersen | SD | 3 | 03/12/1993 | Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States | "People's Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament" fight. |
| Win | 31–11 1 NC |
Mike Robinson | TKO | 3 (?) | 18/11/1993 | Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 30–11 1 NC |
Corrie Sanders | TKO | 3 (10) | 26/06/1993 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Cooper was knocked down once in the 3rd. |
| Win | 30–10 1 NC |
Derek Williams | UD | 10 | 25/03/1993 | Harrah's Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 29–10 1 NC |
Mike Weaver | UD | 10 | 27/02/1993 | Capital City Gymnasium, Beijing, China | For vacant NBA Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 29–9 1 NC |
Rocky Pepeli | TKO | 8 (10) | 15/09/1993 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 28–9 1 NC |
David Jaco | UD | 10 | 11/07/1993 | Fort Myers, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 27–9 1 NC |
Michael Moorer | TKO | 5 (12) | 15/05/1993 | 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 |
Cecil Coffee | TKO | 2 (10) | 15/02/1993 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Coffee down once in the 1st and once in the 2nd. |
| Loss | 26–8 1 NC |
Evander Holyfield | TKO | 7 (12) | 23/11/1991 | The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia, United States | For WBA & IBF Heavyweight titles. Cooper down in round 1 and warned for a low blow. In round 3 Holyfield down for the first time in his career. In round 7 referee Mills Lane stopped the fight as Cooper was taking big combinations and failing to mount any offense. |
| Win | 26–7 1 NC |
Joe Hipp | TKO | 5 (10) | 18/10/1991 | Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Fight stopped due to excessive swelling around Hipp's eyes. |
| Win | 25–7 1 NC |
Anthony Wade | TKO | 8 (8) | 08/08/1991 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 24–7 1 NC |
Conroy Nelson | TKO | 9 (10) | 11/05/1991 | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | |
| Win | 23–7 1 NC |
Loren Ross | TKO | 8 (10) | 26/02/1991 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | Ross was hospitalised after this fight. |
| Loss | 22–7 1 NC |
Riddick Bowe | KO | 2 (10) | 25/10/1990 | Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 22–6 1 NC |
Ray Mercer | UD | 12 | 05/08/1990 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Lost NABF Heavyweight title. Cooper down in round 1. |
| Win | 22–5 1 NC |
Orlin Norris | TKO | 8 (12) | 17/02/1990 | Rexall Place, 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 |
Mike Cohen | ND | 8 (?) | 09/12/1989 | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 21–5 | Rick Hoard | TKO | 1 (6) | 28/09/1989 | Finky's Bar, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 20–5 | George Foreman | RTD | 2 (10) | 01/06/1989 | 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 | Nate Miller | TKO | 7 (12) | 15/02/1989 | Pennsylvania Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Lost NABF Cruiserweight title. Cooper does not come out for round 7. |
| Win | 20–3 | Tony Morrison | TKO | 9 (12) | 27/09/1988 | 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 | Everett Martin | UD | 10 | 01/06/1988 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 19–2 | Tony Fulilangi | TKO | 4 (12) | 15/03/1988 | 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 | Tim Bullock | TKO | 3 (10) | 04/12/1987 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Corner retirement. |
| Win | 17–2 | Andre McCall | TKO | 6 (12) | 20/11/1987 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Retained NABF Cruiserweight title. McCall down in the 6th round. |
| Loss | 16–2 | Carl Williams | RTD | 8 (12) | 21/06/1987 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | For vacant USBA Heavyweight title. |
| Win | 16–1 | Willie de Wit | TKO | 2 (10) | 14/02/1987 | Regina Agridome, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | |
| Win | 15–1 | Carlos Hernandez | TKO | 8 (10) | 02/12/1986 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 14–1 | Spencer Chavis | TKO | 8 (10) | 10/10/1986 | 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 | Tyrone Booze | SD | 12 | 26/08/1986 | 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 | Henry Tillman | UD | 12 | 15/06/1986 | 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 | Oscar Holman | TKO | 10 (10) | 18/04/1986 | Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Reggie Gross | TKO | 8 (10) | 31/01/1986 | Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 10–0 | Cedric Parsons | KO | 1 (10) | 11/12/1985 | Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Ray Davison | UD | 6 | 09/10/1985 | Trump Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Tim Davenport | TKO | 1 (?) | 03/08/1985 | Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Larry Givens | TKO | 3 (6) | 20/05/1985 | Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Jim Jones | KO | 1 (6) | 09/05/1985 | Caesars Boardwalk Regency, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Lorenzo Boyd | KO | 1 (?) | 18/04/1985 | Monroe, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Alvin Fuggs | KO | 1 (?) | 23/02/1985 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ian Priest | TKO | 1 (6) | 24/11/1984 | Leisure Centre, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom | |
| Win | 2–0 | Mark Young | TKO | 2 (4) | 30/10/1984 | Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dennis Caldwell | KO | 1 (?) | 11/09/1984 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| 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 |