Farewell Mr Boxing

The fact that Harry Carpenter, whose death at 84 was announced yesterday, was an accomplished TV presenter and reporter of tennis, golf, the Boat Race and many other sporting events is slightly lost to the British public for one very good reason: from the early 1960's until he retired in 1994, he was the voice of boxing. With due respect to the late Reg Gutteridge, another fine boxing commentator, a major bout was not a major bout unless Carpenter was calling it. Every memorable fight I recall as a kid has Carpenter's voice all over it, from Ali's incredible "Rumble in the Jungle" and "Thrilla in Manilla," to McGuigan's world title win at Loftus Road and the likes of MInter, Conteh and John H Stracey. And then along came Frank Bruno, a friend of Sportsvibe's, who became a national treasure thanks in no small part to his on-screen relationship with "'Arry." I remember Carpenter telling me one day that he always regretted getting carried away when Bruno rocked Mike Tyson with a punch. "He's hurt Tyson. Get in there, Frank," screamed the Beeb's man at the mike. Of course, the rest of us loved this priceless moment of commentary and always will. Bill McLaren passed away four months ago, now Harry Carpenter. We will not see their like again.