Bert Cooper vs Michael Moorer

[@djflarethecreator9261]

I followed Bert Coopers Boxing career pretty much from the beginning. "Smokin" Bert Cooper was one of the most exciting fighters to watch. His knockout power is legendary. He always gave his all in the ring. You will be missed "Smokin" Bert. GOD bless you. Rest in peace Bert Cooper

[@j.m.5744]

Joe Frazier is the reason Bert Cooper was never a heavy weight champion. Frazier taught him that bullshit cross arm defense, which caused Bert to get hit with counter right hands over and over again. Also, just once I would have like to see Bert finish a guy he had hurt with a little patience. He would always rush in and get dropped trying to finish a hurt fighter. He was fun the watch tho, he was an absolute gladiator.

[@seankusel8883]

Thanks for the memories Bert RIP

[@CMT12875]

One of the best heavyweight fights ever, and round 1 is the best round of heavyweight action I’ve ever seen.

[@michaelmohrle1773]

Great fight, makes Foreman's KO even more impressive as Moorer was undefeated and proved he could get up from a knockdown

[@joanmjames2495]

So true! And Foreman knocked out them both!

[@mattbrousseau]

All due respect to '70s HWs but the '90s are the golden age for this division. So much depth. Thanks for the uploads. And for keeping the Holyfield-Holmes promo in there.

[@jamesbrice6619]

Both eras were fantastic. You had more good heavyweight fighters in the 90s I think. And George Foremans comeback really jazzed the heavyweight division up.

[@jasonkessler6841]

The 90's were no were near were the 70's was.

[@WarioSaysSo]

1992-05-15 - Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA- Michael "Double M" Moorer (28-0-0, KO's 26) vs. "Smokin" Bert Cooper (27-8-0, KO's 24) - vacant WBO Heavyweight Championship of the World - # Michael Moorer was world ranked: 1# WBO, 4# WBA, 4# IBF, 5# WBC. # Bert Cooper was world ranked: 2# WBO, 12# IBF. # Moorer was 24 years old - Cooper was 26 years old = 2 years of age difference. # Moorer became the first southpaw (left-handed) world heavyweight champion in history. # Fight was awarded by KO Magazine the "1992 Fight of the Year" award. BACKGROUND: In 1991 Michael Moorer vacated his WBO world light heavyweight title after 9 title defenses and moved up to the heavyweight division. He rolled through the competition en route to securing an opportunity to fight possibly for the WBO world heavyweight championship and more. Bert Cooper was close at upset when he gave Evander Holyfield a rough fight back in 1991 as a very late replacement challanger for the undisputed world heavyweight crown. Cooper had Holyfield down in the 3rd round and proved to be a worthy opponent. Holyfield stoped Cooper in the 7th round and made his 2nd world title defense of his heavyweight crown. AFTERMATH: In 1992, Moorer fought against "Smokin" Bert Cooper for the now vacant WBO world heavyweight title, previously vacated by Ray Mercer. Moorer stopped Cooper in the 5th round after both fighters were down and hurt during the bout. With the victory Moorer became the new WBO world heavyweight champion, a 2-weight division world champion (Only 2nd man ever to go from a light heavyweight champion to heavyweight champion after Michael Spinks in 1985) and the very first-ever southpaw (left handed) world heavyweight champion. Fight was awarded by KO Magazine the "1992 Fight of the Year" award. However Moorer did not defend the WBO world heavyweight belt out of boxing political issues of the time that made it difficult for boxers to unify the WBO title with the WBC, WBA & IBF titles. Moorer and long time trainer Emanuel Steward also parted ways after the Cooper fight. Moorer eventually joined Lou Duva's team, and was trained by Georgie Benton for three fights in 1993, including a 10-round decision win over former WBA world heavyweight champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Bert Cooper was after his fight with Michael Moorer never again a top contender in the heavyweight division. Fighting on as a stepping stone opponent for up-and coming boxers and in general serving as journyman.

[@threerings1345]

This easily could have been fight of the year in '92. Both guys showed tremendous will. Cooper's style forced Moorer to stand and brawl and when Michael was aggressive he was very exciting to watch.

[@ZBOXINGTALK]

KO Magazine had this as Fight Of The Year (1992)

[@threerings1345]

@@ZBOXINGTALK I was going by Ring Mag. which selected Bowe v. Holyfield 1 that year. This one may have ben even better, though. It's close.

[@StuartTheunissen]

Love how Moorer taps Bert at the end of the 1st rnd. Great sportsmanship, memorable fight. Coop's conditioning let him down though... as usual. Always felt he was just 1 or 2 punches away from a big win.

[@Jumpman90]

Michael had honor, I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves, his uppercuts were very powerful

[@sirlloyd6386]

Teddy Atlas tried to get Moorer to stop showing respect to his opponents. Whether he was right or not - he still beat Evander to become the Unified Heavyweight champ

[@joanmjames2495]

​@@sirlloyd6386Yep, two-time heavyweight champion of the 🌎! Teddy Atlas knows his boxing, but is a bitter jerk sometimes.

[@meminustherandomgooglenumbers]

Every boxer is always one punch away from a win.

[@StuartTheunissen]

@@meminustherandomgooglenumbersClearly not 'every boxer' finds himself in Cooper's position. He had Holyfield (undisputed hw champ) and Moorer both in serious trouble. Seems 'context' is an idea that escapes you though.

[@anthonyblanklildude1559]

moorer and cooper dont get the respect they are due. great fighters and a great fight. damn, double M was just missing with that hook low and inside, in the first couple of rounds.

[@Tycrx89]

Bowe actually has really good announcing skills lol

[@timothybellamy1424]

B

[@pperez-fi4sk]

Absolutely he should’ve been a bigger part of the broadcast. Let him talk more. I know that’s not how it goes especially back then because he was active at the time.

[@bigrighthook6107]

RIP Bert

[@jeffreycurtis9075]

Gotta love Bert's efforts in every fight. Always gave himself his best chance, go hard. I suppose the ref didn't call the fight in the first round due to the ropes. Moorer can certainly take a body shot.

[@apex_prowler95]

Sir, Bert didn't always give his best effort. He said so many times. Bert was probably a really good guy but he half azzed train many times. He was exciting when he was right in the head. RIP to Bert.

[@islander5858]

That fight could've probably been stopped in the first

[@bakoboyo138]

Cooper used Ernie Shavers' fight plan in big fights.

[@Guitargasm1000]

Referee did his job. He looked at Cooper and saved his brain from more damage.

[@perilouspalms2497]

Have you seen him give an interview? He was so low IQ he could barely write his own name. Unless he forgot how to breathe oxygen how would anyone know he had suffered brain damage?

[@petierican6079]

War War WAR!!! What a WAR!!!!! What like about coachstrout is he give you the whole pre fight the interviews thanks coachstrout

[@celticlofts]

This is probably the best action packed fight I've ever seen, indeed anyone has ever seen. From beginning to end it was all edge of the seat stuff. I can tell ya those punters got their money's worth that night.

[@Thatguyy002]

Holyfield vs Cooper is even better

[@serenityinside1]

No it isn’t - but foreman vs Lyle is ! 😳

[@Ramzblood]

@@serenityinside1 Foreman Lyle is rated X. X treme brutality

[@tonygajate5780]

excellent stoppage, love both these fighters

[@Pauly421]

Thanks for all the uploads Coach. This is one of the best fights I've ever seen can't believe this is my first time watching it, there's always more classic fights out there :)

[@junior0307able]

Rip Bert Cooper

[@jpleblanc2759]

Excellent! i like the pre and post fight stuff Great!!!

[@johnjordan6032]

That first round of action is better than any full fight you'll see these days.

[@truthsayer9847]

Stay tuned at the end of the fight for a great Holyfield v Holmes promo

[@MrCrystalcranium]

God I loved Bert Cooper! If he had a different outlook on life, if he had dedicated himself to his craft like Holyfield and Frazier, his mentor, what an awesome champion he would have been. He had so many natural gifts...blazing hand speed, KO power in both hands, a decent chin and intelligence inside and outside the ring. Even limited by his vices, he was still one of the most exciting fighters out there and he could have taken out any heavyweight in the division in the first 3 rounds. If he had trained, treated his body right and had the willingness to go through the pain and suffering in the gym, doing roadwork, sparring etc like a Marvin Hagler or Holyfield, he could have gone down as an all time great. I love his "fight" against Willie DeWitt. He went into enemy territory to show Canada's matinee idol "You wanna fight in my division pretty boy? You aint seen nuthin' like what I'm gonna show ya!" He is missed. A thrill to watch.

[@jamesbrice6619]

Good Point. But I don't think being in shape would ever save him from George Foreman. Foreman walked over fighters of this style.

[@BrooklynAvenue]

A real life Rocky fight.

[@presence5426]

Bert Cooper was not the guy to take on lightly. He had fast hands and was a good banger. And for God's sake, you don't stand there and trade punches with him. Both Moorer and Holyfield found out the hard way. Riddick Bowe, on the other hand, blew Cooper out.

[@truthsayer9847]

Bert Cooper was another victim of drug addiction. He almost won two different versions of the heavyweight title, despite being a cruiserweight. Having said that, the two people he almost beat, were former light heavies/cruisers.

[@Guitargasm1000]

He does from pancreatic cancer not drugs

[@Guitargasm1000]

Died from

[@tome3187]

I think he means Cooper was a victim of drug addiction because it prevented him from fulfilling his full potential, not because it Killed him

[@sirlloyd6386]

Moorer was absolutely deadly when his mind was right. A very complex individual! As they all are to get in the ring. Respect to anyone who has the courage to do this - at any level. ✊🏼

[@geoffn54]

Class from Moorer after Cooper survived the first round. The whole fight was full of respect.

[@islander5858]

That fight could've been stopped in the first

[@RaulGarcia-jq9dz]

That referee is getting on my nerves a little late on that mouthpiece but besides that I've always liked Michael and Burt 90s was awesome to watch heavyweight fights and these two are one of them

[@christophermiller7532]

Amazing scrap.

[@jenniferparson7492]

One of the most underated fights in heavyweight history tremendous fight!

[@billhodges3097]

Bert was a great fighter. He came very close, so close to winning

[@jdizzled4114]

Classic!

[@djhardcorproductions6132]

Bert Cooper was always 1 more big punch away from winning the biggest fight of his life ! He was a tough luck kind of fighter and seemingly in all aspects of his life. Lastly the ref in this fight was terrible ! The ref did almost everything wrong or at the worst time he could've done in that first round. Piss poor discretion when it came to putting the mouthpiece back in and horrible decision to stop the count to make Cooper go to the neutral corner. The count had already been almost complete and then he yells at Cooper to go to the other corner giving more time to Moorer to recover. Plus he kept saying every body shot was low

[@bh760]

WTF Goosen looks the same in 2022!?!?

[@blainegriffith7119]

Smokin Bert Cooper is a GEM, if he gets in good shape look out hard crisp puncher but Michael’s uppercut is thing of beauty that cleared all smoke from the chimney immediately with a left hook to boot yea it was over??? I don’t think Bert even knew if he was outdoors or inside at that particular moment, but he still give it up for Mike!, that’s a class act no doubt ya gotta love the SMOKE!!!

[@yuljohnson6838]

Bert cooper had the power and the ability, what was missing unfortunately from his arsenal was the heart which showed in a large number of his losses where he just gave up. If he had the will necessary to win he could've been unbeatable! But he was in a great number of great fights with Carl the truth,Bowe,Holyfield of course,Mercer and the list goes on and on.

[@rikward6955]

did anyone see rick elvis parker snaking around lol?

[@paulgarcia9825]

Both guys were offensive fighters but very little defensive ability. Hard punching and fine combinations.

[@johnjamele]

Cooper was shamefully robbed against Holyfield- he had Evander out on his feet, when suddenly the ref gave Holyfield a huge "glove problem" rest. It was disgraceful how Holyfield was rescued in that bout.

[@spiderreed350]

I never respected the WBO Championship. To me it was like the NABF,USBA belts.

[@serenityinside1]

Plastic belt .

[@spiderreed350]

Me to..for awhile I only recognized the WBC and WBA straps.than I was OK with the IBF Belt also.

[@thelevisullivan]

What do you make of it now?

[@batman-telephoneman5479]

What a great fight.

[@eugenereeves418]

Thx forgot about this fight 👍🏾

[@serenityinside1]

How the hell ?!!! 🤔

[@buckchile614]

Shades of Dempsey/Tunney w/ Moorer looking out on his feet in the 1st round. Crucial mistake by Coop that would cost him later

[@michaelmohrle1773]

Foreman vs Lyle part 2 !!!

[@tommyvette969]

My name is Bert Cooper you may defeat but in the end YOUR GONNA RESPECT ME.

[@SirDerp909]

Wow, Riddick Bowe was suggesting that Moorer learn how to slip punches? 😂

[@josephlafontant3035]

Coach can you find 2fights ( Joe Lafontant and King Solomon) versus Arturo "Thunder" Gatti(RIP ). Gatti's 6th&7th.. I'm having a hard time finding the video (tape).

[@СергейКалинин-й7е]

Вот это бой,вот это рубка.......

[@EJKBoxingandFitness]

This ref is horrible.

[@BrooklynAvenue]

I thought Moorer was dead 30 seconds in. Tommy Morrison looked better after round five with Mercer.

[@kfazzfarrell5973]

May have cost himself a title with the neutral corner gaffe. Moorer was still shaky getting up. Had Joe Frazier like pop,but not the other intangibles.

[@stephenallison1522]

When boxing had genuine fighters, not like Fury, Joshua, Chisora, Usyk, and all the other spolied brats!

[@upplsuckimcool16]

Won't find something like this in boxing now-a-days lol

[@roberthorton6619]

I like both fighters but it was the younger fighter boxer holyffeid s time age always is the key in a tough fight

[@Nicklas-df1hr]

NICHOLAS TONEY BERT COOPER & ERNIE SHAVERS BOTH RIP

[@samuelbeaumont7465]

This referee should be sacked on the spot, seconds in the opening round Bert won that fight by KO because Moorer was down for over 10 seconds, Bert was at a neutral corner and he was waiting for the count and for the referee to simply do that just meant it was either favouritism, bribe or dislike for the referee to not finish the count. Complete bullshit💯

[@przemog88]

It's Cooper's fault that he didn't go to neutral corner, stop blaiming referee.

[@markymarcb4932]

Completely agree. First off, those were unanswered shots with moorer sinking to the canvas. Should’ve been called right there.

[@StuartTheunissen]

You don't understand. Rules say the count is only is a 'notional' 10 seconds, not necessarily an actual 10 seconds. In other words they recognize that it's almost impossible to get a perfect 10 sec count in the middle of ring mayhem.

[@moaningpheromones]

Ok, it's not as bad as you're saying. Counting time using video time the total is around 14 seconds - including pause for Cooper. Moorer is up at about 5-6 anyway. And then I doubt if four seconds is going to be that beneficial if a fighter is wobbly. He wouldn't have been counted out getting up at 5-6. The damage wasn't enough to end in a quick KO after the count. What more do you want?

[@floridadon991]

Agreed

[@floridadon991]

That fight was supposed to be over it’s clear they didn’t want cooper to be on top smh

[@lavandawarren9826]

Dats what I said

[@truthsayer9847]

It is Moorer coach

[@DrLoverLover]

jesus the demented rambling from that guy in the beginning

[@pourisaif7687]

And Holyfield showed how he outclassed Larry Holmes

[@charleslowe522]

Holmes was 42 years old and he still went the distance with Holyfield and was never in trouble. Remember Holmes got the title shot by schooling Ray Mercer, who had just come off the most spectacular fight of his career. Holmes would get another title shot in 1995 against Oliver McCall and came close to pulling the upset. This shows you what a young Mike Tyson was in the ring, as he is the only only fighter who ever KO'ed Larry Holmes. Mike Tyson was so fast and powerful he landed that jab right hand on Holmes and Holmes went crashing to the canvas. Yet Holmes got to his tried his best to survive and fight back. Tyson was just too fast and powerful once he hurt Holmes. Too me, Tyson's KO of Holmes is the most impressive of his career considering no one else could do it.

[@apex_prowler95]

​@@charleslowe522- No no no. Tyson beat a Larry coming out of a 2 year retirement. Had Larry fought Tyson after 1990 Larry whips him. Guys talk Tyson and get romantic. They don't see what was really there. Larry fought better competition in his comeback than Tyson did his whole career.

[@teofilocarpio9434]

Drink more whiskey cooper, rip

[@bostons2826]

Young Joe Goose!

[@neshnesh1441]

Stupid referee, unintentionally mouth piece out of jab, genuine, should put back immediately. unqualified referee

[@indiglo1971]

Did the referee play the bartender in Billy Joel's Piano Man video?

[@truthsayer9847]

Way better than Hagler v Hearns.

[@Nimvar]

Im watching for first time, gonna come back and let you know what I think No, Hagler vs Hearns is way better and they really gave all they had...This was real slow...

[@taesmith1180]

here because of larry 😂

[@UnitTheory]

the guy interviewing lou in the beginning was damn beautiful

[@marcoantonioc5437]

🧐

[@UnitTheory]

@@marcoantonioc5437 hahah he was!

[@Nimvar]

11:20

[@MrMaximehodee]

Whaou

[@TheOneAndOnlyZelenkaGuru]

Ref rigged the fight with the long count sadly, gave Moorer loads of time to recover and avoiding a round 1 K.O

[@ikelove8775]

Wow

[@radvlad1431]

😎👌

[@hectormedina191]

DRO

[@kenkrutky6041]

Zgi

[@topsuperseven7910]

Fun fact: at 27:25 you can see future President of the USA Donald Trump in the crowd.

[@juliodyarzagaray]

Trump at 27:25