Michael Moorer vs Bert Cooper for the vacant WBO world heavyweight title
Date: May 15, 1992
Venue: Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Moorer stance: southpaw
Cooper stance: orthodox
Michael Moorer turned pro in 1988 and after winning his first 11 bouts inside the distance he won the inaugural WBO light heavyweight title. He defended his title nine times, and also beat former title challenger Jim McDonald in a non-title bout. None of Moorer's contests at light heavyweight went the distance. His most impressive win was probably his eight round knockout of Leslie Stewart. Moorer moved up to heavyweight, and his best result to date was a fourth round stoppage of Alex Stewart. He entered the ring against Cooper with a record of 28-0 with 26 KOs.
Bert Cooper turned pro in 1984, and started off as a cruiserweight. He was fairly short and stocky, and was trained in his first few fights by Joe Frazier. Cooper won the NABF cruiserweight title with a points win over Henry Tillman. His only loss as a cruiserweight was when he was beaten in eight rounds by Reggie Fross. Cooper stepped up to heavyweight, and his first big fight was a seventh round stoppage loss to Carl Williams in 1987. Cooper went back down to cruiserweight for a while, making two more successful defences of his NABF title.
Cooper's next fight at heavyweight saw him lose in two rounds to George Foreman. Cooper regrouped and won the NABH heavyweight title by stopping Orlin Norris in the eighth round. He lost that title on points to Ray Mercer and was then destroyed by Riddick Bowe. Cooper then won four consecutive bouts and challenged Evander Holyfield for the WBA and IBF world titles with just a few days notice in November 1991. Cooper scored a knockdown before Holyfield won a battle of attrition in seven rounds. Cooper had a keep busy bout against Cecil Coffee, which he won in two rounds, and he got a second shot at a world title on short notice.
For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:
Michael Moorer - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/1137
Bert Cooper - https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/1596