Britain has been bathing in a relatively sun-drenched Bank Holiday weekend but that's not to say boxing has been on the backburner. Here are a few snippets of news and views from the past week...
First of all, it's with sad regret to note the passing of iconic former British heavyweight champion Henry Cooper who has died aged 76.
Charismatic Cooper was perhaps best known for three key moments in his life and career - one, knocking down and coming close to stopping a young Cassius Clay; two, losing a controversial decision to Joe Bugner in his final fight; three, taking part in regular humorous British television adverts for masculine aftershave Brut with footballer Kevin Keegan.
A closer look at his boxing record shows there were a fair few more worthy moments of recognition.
Cooper retired with a record of 40-14-1 (with 27 knockouts). He won three British Lonsdale Titles outright, as well as picking up Commonwealth and European honours. Cooper challenged for the world title against Muhammad Ali and also took on Floyd Patterson, losing both fights. He was on a seven-fight winning streak before losing to Bugner on a decision that he continued to dispute over the years.
Interestingly, Henry Cooper never appeared to weigh more than 200 pounds which in today's terms would make him a cruiserweight in today's fight weights.
It would be interesting to see how far he would have gone if he had been competing in the modern era.
*****
On Saturday night Darren Barker reclaimed the European Middleweight Belt he had been forced to relinquish with an impressive points victory over the durable and underrated Domenico Spada.
After more than a year out due to injury and promotional difficulties Barker put himself back into the limelight with this showing, which was broadcast on Sky Sports and promoted by his new promoters Matchroom Sport.
Watching Barker speak before this fight, there seemed a real sense of maturity and intelligence about his approach to the sport - despite some of the bad luck he had endured.
In the ring he pulled out a close but clear victory thanks to his clever boxing skills against a come-forward and rugged opponent. Barker climbs to 23-0, while Spada drops to 32-4.
*****
There's often concern when a professional boxer comes back to the sport after retiring off the back of performances which show his skills have diminished and he was no longer the same force as old.
That was the case with Mancunian warrior Michael Brodie, who retired in 2005 after being stopped by Scott Harrison. He looked tired of the sport at that point but came back in 2009, pulling out an exciting victory against the unheralded Mark Alexander, who had him down twice. He was then stopped in three by Anthony Crolla after looking sluggish (he had struggled to make the weight).
Last week Brodie appeared in a local newspaper, the Salford Advertiser in Greater Manchester. Fortunately this was an altogether more positive story.
Former British, Commonwealth and European champion Brodie had given up his time to be in the corner to assist youngsters fighting out of Irlam Boxing Academy at Royal Arms Club in Cadishead, Salford.
Here's what he had to say:
Now that's a good news story concerning a (hopefully) retired professional fighter. Let's hope for more of them.
First of all, it's with sad regret to note the passing of iconic former British heavyweight champion Henry Cooper who has died aged 76.
Charismatic Cooper was perhaps best known for three key moments in his life and career - one, knocking down and coming close to stopping a young Cassius Clay; two, losing a controversial decision to Joe Bugner in his final fight; three, taking part in regular humorous British television adverts for masculine aftershave Brut with footballer Kevin Keegan.
A closer look at his boxing record shows there were a fair few more worthy moments of recognition.
Cooper retired with a record of 40-14-1 (with 27 knockouts). He won three British Lonsdale Titles outright, as well as picking up Commonwealth and European honours. Cooper challenged for the world title against Muhammad Ali and also took on Floyd Patterson, losing both fights. He was on a seven-fight winning streak before losing to Bugner on a decision that he continued to dispute over the years.
Interestingly, Henry Cooper never appeared to weigh more than 200 pounds which in today's terms would make him a cruiserweight in today's fight weights.
It would be interesting to see how far he would have gone if he had been competing in the modern era.
*****
On Saturday night Darren Barker reclaimed the European Middleweight Belt he had been forced to relinquish with an impressive points victory over the durable and underrated Domenico Spada.
After more than a year out due to injury and promotional difficulties Barker put himself back into the limelight with this showing, which was broadcast on Sky Sports and promoted by his new promoters Matchroom Sport.
Watching Barker speak before this fight, there seemed a real sense of maturity and intelligence about his approach to the sport - despite some of the bad luck he had endured.
In the ring he pulled out a close but clear victory thanks to his clever boxing skills against a come-forward and rugged opponent. Barker climbs to 23-0, while Spada drops to 32-4.
*****
There's often concern when a professional boxer comes back to the sport after retiring off the back of performances which show his skills have diminished and he was no longer the same force as old.
That was the case with Mancunian warrior Michael Brodie, who retired in 2005 after being stopped by Scott Harrison. He looked tired of the sport at that point but came back in 2009, pulling out an exciting victory against the unheralded Mark Alexander, who had him down twice. He was then stopped in three by Anthony Crolla after looking sluggish (he had struggled to make the weight).
Last week Brodie appeared in a local newspaper, the Salford Advertiser in Greater Manchester. Fortunately this was an altogether more positive story.
Former British, Commonwealth and European champion Brodie had given up his time to be in the corner to assist youngsters fighting out of Irlam Boxing Academy at Royal Arms Club in Cadishead, Salford.
Here's what he had to say:
"I am looking to give something back to boxing and was asked me if I wanted to come along to the Irlam show. It was great to see the young fighters doing well in the ring but enjoying it as well."
Now that's a good news story concerning a (hopefully) retired professional fighter. Let's hope for more of them.
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