| Jean-Pierre Coopman | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Jean-Pierre Coopman |
| Nickname(s) | Lion of Flanders |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m) |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Born | 11 July 1946 Ingelmunster, West Flanders, Belgium |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 54 |
| Wins | 36 |
| Wins by KO | 20 |
| Losses | 16 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Jean-Pierre Coopman (Ingelmunster, 7 November 1946) is a retired Belgian boxer who is best known for his title fight against Muhammad Ali in 1976, which Ali won by KO[1] in round 5.
Coopman's first fully paid job was as a stone cutter.
After the Muhammad Ali fight, Coopman became European champion after beating Basque Urtain. He retired in 1980. His last official fight was against Cookie Wallace.
In 1995 he fought another boxing legend, Freddy de Kerpel, acting in the film Camping Cosmos.
As of 2007 Coopman was painting oil paintings of famous boxers.
He is the subject of "Lion" a tongue-in-cheek tribute by songwriter Freddy Blohm.