Monday, March 22, 2010

BBC Boxing Commentator Harry Carpenter passes away aged 84, a true icon of the golden age of BBC Sport












Dear All

One of the iconic voices of BBC Sport was Veteran BBC boxing commentator Harry Carpenter.

And it is right to say he was an icon to the nation, a form household favourite with the public.

His career spanned decades and he was known for his commentating on Sportsnight, Grandstand and of course Wimbledon.

Carpenter was known for his friendship with Frank Bruno and that friendship spun the now famous catchphrase;

'Know what I mean, 'Arry?'.

Former lightweight champion Jim Watt said;

“He covered all my own world title fights and he commentated on me as an amateur - that's how long back we go”.

Carpenter had been unwell for some time after suffering a minor heart attack last summer.

He died at the age of 84.

A great commentator, he will be sorely missed for the effort he put in; he made it sound like he was talking to friends as he commentated on the fights.

He joined the BBC in 1949 and became its full-time boxing correspondent from 1962 until his retirement in 1994.

It is a sad day for the world of boxing, his friends and fans.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

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