James Cooper

James Cooper was a member of the Eton Mission Boxing Club and was their delegate on the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA), and later served on the committee of the ABA. In December 1910 he made an important proposal to the ABA, which was adopted the following month, and it would have a critical impact on boxing forever. His proposal read: “That at all open competitions held under the laws of the Amateur Boxing Association, a duly qualified medical officer must be in attendance to examine intending competitors, and no competitors be allowed to compete unless certified by such medical officer as being “fit”.”

Cooper, who officiated at both the 1908 and 1920 Olympics, also regularly refereed at the ABA Championships. His son was a highly-rated amateur welterweight in the early part of the 20th century,