Bugner met the veteran Cooper and won a 15-round decision, by the narrowest of margins, ¼ point, on the card of referee and sole arbiter Harry Gibbs. Bugner’s victory was seen as one of the most controversial in British boxing history. Cooper, who had been friends with Gibbs, refused to speak to the official for many years.

Joe Bugner, former British and European heavyweight champion who went 69-14 over 83 fights, passed away at 75 in his Brisbane care home.