ALI & HIGHBURY
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 May 2020
The Greatest’ & ‘The Greatest Prize in Boxing’ have more than their names in common. They have both been to Highbury, the famous North London stadium in England.
During his outstanding career, Muhammad Ali boxed three times in London – at Wembley, Highbury, and Earl’s Court – with two of those fights against British hero Henry Cooper, and today, May 21, marks the 44th anniversary of the latter, Ali vs Cooper II.
The first Ali-Cooper took place at Wembley Stadium on June 18, 1963, in front of 35,000 fans, and with the referee stopping the bout in round 5 in Ali’s favour. The second bout came about three years later at Highbury, the former home of Arsenal Football Club.
The contest for the WBA & WBC heavyweight World Titles held the record for the largest live audience at a British boxing event with 46,000 people packed into the stands and on the pitch. Cooper believed he could upset Ali, after scoring a rare knockdown of the legend in their first encounter, but in the sixth round, the fight was stopped due to a cut over Cooper’s eye.
Last year in October the Muhammad Ali Trophy visited Highbury as a tribute to Ali vs Cooper II and as a link to the World Boxing Super Series Super-Lightweight final at The O2 between Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor.
A Trophy of the present and a battle from the past crossed paths while the legacy of The Greatest lived on in the World Boxing Super Series.
“I’ve been looking up to Ali my entire life,” said Regis Prograis when he saw the trophy up close at The O2. “I’ve read all of his books and he is a legend both inside and outside of the ring. Saturday I will be in the biggest fight of my life with a chance to win the WBSS final and the Muhammad Ali Trophy. It looks amazing and I can’t wait to fight for it here at The O2.”
But Prograis was not alone in his desire of the coveted trophy. “I’ve been visualising lifting that trophy,” said Josh Taylor. “Posing for the pictures at the end of the fight with the belts and the trophy. I’ve envisioned and visualised this for ages since this tournament came around.”
The Muhammad Ali Trophy:
The Muhammad Ali Trophy is also known as the Greatest Prize in Boxing and it is being awarded to the winner of the World Boxing Super Series.
Ali gave his blessings to the WBSS and agreed to give his name to its prize, and the trophy was created by the late world-renowned artist Silvio Gazzaniga who also designed the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Ali Trophy winners:
2019: Josh Taylor (Super-Lightweight), Nagoya Inoue (Bantamweight)
2018: Aleksandr Usyk (Cruiserweight), Callum Smith (Super Middleweight)
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025