Mourners from across the country have paid their last respects to heavyweight boxing champion Sir Henry Cooper.
Hundreds of mourners line streets for boxing legend's funeral
Mourners from across the country have paid their last respects to heavyweight boxing champion Sir Henry Cooper.
Hundreds of fans lined the streets of Oxted where Sir Henry, affectionately known to his fans as 'Our 'Enry,' died at his son's home earlier this month, aged 76.
Onlookers bowed their heads as the former British, Commonwealth and European champion's cortege passed through the Surrey town with a Union Jack flag draped over his coffin.
The London-born boxer, who was knighted in 2000 and crowned BBC sports personality of the year on two occasions, is considered one of the great Brititsh heavyweights alongside Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis.
And among those bidding a final farewell was 69-year-old Percy Battershill who simply described him as 'the greatest.'
Mr Battershill said: "He could knock a man out with one punch. He didn't have to go 10 or 15 rounds, and top of all of that, he was a gentleman.
"He could walk with the crowds, talk with the kings and he never lost the common touch."
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While John Knight, from Essex, had taken the day off work to honour Sir Henry, whose memorable clashes include famously knocking down the unstoppable Muhammad Ali - then known as Cassius Clay - in 1963.
Mr Knight said: "I just wanted to be here. What you saw was what you got with Sir Henry.
"He didn't shout his mouth off, and he was unique and one hell of a boxer."
And electrician and former amateur boxer Tony Lawson added: "He was a boxer's boxer, he had style. He was my hero as a kid and he's still my hero now.
"He's a legend and a British icon. I felt it was only right to come and say goodbye to him."
A private family service will take place in Tonbridge, Kent.
