Bert Cooper — American Heavyweight Boxer (Smokin' Bert Cooper)

Career summary and statistics

Cooper had a lengthy career with a total of 63 professional bouts. His record as reported lists 38 wins and 25 losses, with a high percentage of his victories coming by way of knockout; the record notes 31 by knockout. He challenged three times for a version of a world heavyweight title, earning recognition for taking on elite fighters of his era rather than avoiding difficult match-ups.

Notable opponents and high-profile fights

• Evander Holyfield — Cooper fought Holyfield in a well-known, widely watched contest that is often remembered for its intensity.
• George Foreman — Cooper met Foreman, another headline heavyweight of the period, in a bout that matched power against experience.
• Riddick Bowe — A confrontation with Bowe placed Cooper among the era's top contenders.
• Other opponents included Michael Moorer, Chris Byrd, Ray Mercer and Corrie Sanders, all of whom were significant figures in the heavyweight ranks of the time.

Throughout his career Cooper was regarded as a dangerous opponent because of his aggression and capacity to end fights with a single punch. That style led to dramatic victories as well as hard-fought defeats when he faced technically polished or defensively minded boxers.

Later life and legacy

After retiring from the ring, Cooper remained a remembered figure among fans of the era for his memorable match-ups and the excitement he brought to the heavyweight division. His readiness to meet elite challengers and his knockout ratio contributed to a reputation as a classic heavy hitter who never shied from risky fights.

Bertram Cooper died on May 10, 2019, at the age of 53. Reports state he succumbed to pancreatic cancer. His career is still recalled by boxing followers for its dramatic moments and for the list of prominent opponents he faced, a roll call that included many of the 1990s heavyweight division's best.

For readers wishing to explore more about Cooper's bouts, records and contemporary accounts, consult the boxing records and archival reports available through sports archives and databases that cover heavyweight boxing during the 1980s and 1990s. Additional resources and bout summaries can be found via boxing databases and historical summaries linked from major sports reference collections.

professional boxer • heavyweight • Evander Holyfield • George Foreman • Riddick Bowe • 31 by knockout • pancreatic cancer