The wife of boxing legend Henry Cooper died after suffering a heart attack as the fight star was making his way to an event in the Black Country.

The former heavyweight champion was travelling to an event at the Cross Sports Bar, in Oldswinford, Stourbridge, on Wednesday when he took a call saying his wife, Albina Genepri, 68, was ill.

She had suffered a heart attack and did not recover.

Mr Cooper’s agent today confirmed her death and said Mr Cooper was devastated. “Henry won’t be making any public appearances for a while now.”

The couple married in 1960 and have two sons, Henry Marco and John Pietro.

Mr Cooper, aged 74, who famously rocked Muhammad Ali with his trademark left hook, dubbed “Enry’s Ammer”, was to host a question and answer session at the pub. Around 150 fans had advance tickets but Mr Cooper’s withdrawal came too late for Cross Sports Bar owner Wayne Etheridge to warn punters.