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. 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. 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. His hometown is Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, United States of America. He is 5"11" (180 cm) tall.
