LONDON, (Reuters) – Former commentator Harry Carpenter, the BBC’s “voice of boxing” for more than 40 years, has died at the age of 84.
He died in his sleep in London in the early hours of Saturday morning, the BBC reported yesterday.
Carpenter, who retired in 1994, was one of several long-serving BBC sport commentators including cricket’s John Arlott, horse racing’s Peter O’Sullevan, golf’s Peter Alliss, tennis’s Dan Maskell and rugby’s Bill McLaren.
He joined the BBC in 1949 and commentated on the great ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ heavyweight fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in the former Zaire in 1974.
He was also well known for his “double act” with British former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno.