Henry Cooper, 76, champion boxer and BBC sports personality dies

Boxing legend Sir Henry Cooper, who famously knocked down a young Cassius Clay during a fight in 1963, has died.

The former heavyweight champion, one of the sport's best known personalities, died aged 76 at his son's home in Oxted, Surrey.

Born in London, the renowned left-hander twice won BBC Sports Personality of the Year, in 1967 and 1970, and in his career beat some of the world's most famous boxers.

Considered to be among Britain's best post-war fighters, he became the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion in 1967. He remains the only British boxer to win the three Lonsdale belts outright. He was knighted in 2000.

During the 1963 fight with Clay, who later changed his name to Mohammed Ali, Cooper knocked his opponent to the canvas in the fourth round of their fight with his trademark left-hook, dubbed "Enry's 'Ammer".

But the non-title bout at Wembley Stadium became mired in controversy as Clay was given time to recover when his trainer claimed he needed to replace his gloves.

The fight was stopped in the following round because Cooper was bleeding around the eyes, meaning Clay was victorious.

The pair met again in 1966, by which time Clay was world heavyweight champion, and Cooper was defeated again.

The world title evaded Cooper during a career that spanned 55 fights. He retired in 1971 after losing to Joe Bugner.