Smoking Bert Cooper passes, aged 53.

In Sad news, former two time world heavyweight title challenger Bert Cooper passed away on Friday at the age of 53.
Only weeks ago Bert picked up a Briscoe award at the Philadelphia Boxing Hall of fame..
Originally a world ranked Cruiserweight, Cooper made his biggest headlines up at heavyweight.. Bert came in on 8 days notice to challenge a prime Evander Holyfield for his IBF and WBA titles in 1992 after scheduled opponent Francesco Damiani sustained an injury.. The unlikely Cooper rocked the champion in round 3 before falling short 4 rounds later.. The following year Bert fought Michael Moorer for the vacant WBO title, in a war where both men visited the canvas twice before Bert once again came up short via 5th round stoppage.. Bert Cooper faced Carl Williams, Ray Mercer, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman, Henry Tillman, Tommy Morrison, Chris Byrd and as recent as 2011 Luis Ortiz.. Bert took on the monicker “Smokin Bert” after one time trainer and father figure Joe Frazier, once sporting a T-shirt with the logo, ‘The Smoke is no Joke’ prior to his 1992 world title challenge.. Bert publicly struggled with substance abuse throughout most of his career, yet always appeared to bring his A game to his biggest fights.. Bert was given the dreadful news that he had Pancreatic cancer about 8 weeks ago.. This weekend Bert’s short brave battle came to an end as the 53 year old passed peacefully..
Bert was one of the good guys who most certainly left his mark..

RIP Bert Cooper.