The next Henry Cooper chasing his boxing dream in Sheffield

Henry Cooper is one of the greatest names in the annals of British boxing.

He is the icon who put Muhammad Ali on the canvas and held the British and Commonwealth titles for 12 years.

Sir Henry - or 'our 'Enry' as the nation once called him - passed away in 2011, 15 years ago this month.

Now there is a new Henry Cooper arriving in the sport, and the namesake wants Sheffield City Boxing Club to be proud of him like Britain was of the veteran fighter.

The 18-year-old local version is currently making waves in amateur boxing, where he has won 20 of 32 fights so far.

He wants to build on the Yorkshire title he won at featherweight and turn professional once he has established himself.

The teenager would love to live up to the name, he says.

"Being named Henry Cooper was a bit of a fluke, really," he told The Star.

"I had my mum's maiden name to start with but when she and my dad got married when I was three I took the Cooper name.

"Neither of them were big boxing fans, really, but my dad did watch the big fights on TV."

One of those was Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder III, in 2021.

"My Dad called me to watch it. It was the first time I'd seen a boxing match, it was great and I thought: 'I'd love to give it a go!'"

Henry, who lives in Gawber, started training with Barnsley Star ABC, but says he outgrew it and moved over to Brendan Warburton's gym in Nether Edge.

"It is perfect for me, it is such a diverse and welcoming environment to be in, it is like a second home. I love it there."

Henry, who earns a living through one-to-one training and working at The Boatmans Rest pub in Worsbrough, is determined to make his way in boxing, following Sir Henry's lead.

Reflecting on the legendary puncher, he said: "I knew who he was and I collect memorabilia of his, like signed gloves.

"It is not a bad role model to have, especially with the knighthood."

The prospect has studied the Cooper v Ali fights (1966 and 1963) and says: "It was such a shame that Henry was cut so easily.

"I am proud of the name. I know I am going to be a good boxer and my name being what it is, is just fate.

"I will turn over as a professional eventually, but there is no rush."

Henry, who says his technical skills have improved hugely.

"The coaching is at such a high level, I have seen other gyms and never seen the sort of analysis that goes on there. Brendan is the best coach I have ever met.

"My parents Andrea and David have been a great inspiration to me as well."

On the local scene, Cooper is a big admirer of Callum Simpson, who appears now to be trained by Rob McCracken at Sheffield's English Institute of Sport.

"Callum had a similar Barnsley upbringing to me and he is definitely someone I would want to model myself on."