BBC boxing commentator Harry Carpenter has died, a spokesman for his family said today.
The 84-year-old former TV sports presenter died at King’s College Hospital, London, on Saturday.
His lawyer David Wills said: “He had been unwell since last summer when he had a minor heart attack. The funeral has not been arranged but will be a family funeral, to be followed by a memorial service in London.”
He leaves a widow and one son.
Mr Carpenter became closely identified with Frank Bruno, whose catchphrase “Know what I mean, ‘arry?” featured in their post-fight interviews.
He worked as a sports reporter on national newspapers before joining the BBC and commentated on major sporting events including Wimbledon and the university boat race. But it was as the public face - and voice - of the corporation’s boxing coverage that he became best known.
Boxing promoter Frank Maloney said Carpenter was “the voice of boxing”.
“He was probably one of the greatest commentators of all time. His voice was so distinctive and I remember all those Ali fights and Bruno fights he commentated on. It’s like a piece of boxing history has been taken away,” Maloney said.
A spokesman for Bruno said he was upset and shocked by the news.
PA