alan45
01-05-2011, 21:57
Sir Henry was known known for a particularly effective left hook, 'Enry's Ammer', and for his knockdown of Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, in 1963.
Ali eventually won the non-title bout at Wembley and triumphed when the pair met again three years later.
Sir Henry, who was born in London, was hugely popular with the British public and was knighted in 2000.
He was also the first sportsman to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year twice.
Tributes are already pouring in for Sir Henry who died just two days before his 77th birthday.
Writing on Twitter, the current WBA World Champion David Haye called him a "true warrior and a great human being".
Colin Hart, sports journalist and good friend of Sir Henry, told Sky News: "I'm not shocked he died, sadly, because I saw him deteriorate over the years as he got quite ill. He wasn't the same after the death of his wife (Albina) who was not only his right hand but also his left hand.
"He died of a broken heart."
Ali eventually won the non-title bout at Wembley and triumphed when the pair met again three years later.
Sir Henry, who was born in London, was hugely popular with the British public and was knighted in 2000.
He was also the first sportsman to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year twice.
Tributes are already pouring in for Sir Henry who died just two days before his 77th birthday.
Writing on Twitter, the current WBA World Champion David Haye called him a "true warrior and a great human being".
Colin Hart, sports journalist and good friend of Sir Henry, told Sky News: "I'm not shocked he died, sadly, because I saw him deteriorate over the years as he got quite ill. He wasn't the same after the death of his wife (Albina) who was not only his right hand but also his left hand.
"He died of a broken heart."