58 years ago

Date: 21st May 1966

Title: WBC World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Harry Levene

Muhammad Ali
( 23 - 0 - 0 )
Weight: 201 1/2 lbs

Henry Cooper
( 33 - 11 - 1 )
Weight: 188 lbs

In the fourth defence of his WBC World Heavyweight Title, Ali faced Britain's Henry Cooper at Arsenal Football Stadium in Highbury, London.

Ali cut Cooper badly over the left eye and referee George Smith had no choice but to end the bout at 1:38 of the 6th round.

Cooper and Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) had met previously in June 1963 when the Englishman knocked down Clay heavily in the fourth round. Clay survived and went on to stop Cooper on cuts in the 5th round.

Ali came to Highbury with no intention of allowing Cooper to repeat the success he enjoyed in their 1963 meeting.