Boxing world mourns loss of Harry Carpenter

BOXING legends lined up to pay tribute last night to commentator Harry Carpenter, who has died at the age of 84.

Carpenter covered his first fight for the BBC in 1949 and retired in 1994. During that span, he was ringside at all the major bouts, including Muhammad Ali's epic 'Rumble in the Jungle' and the 'Thrilla in Manila'.

George Foreman, who fought Ali in the Rumble, said: "We were all accustomed to boxing people bustling in and arguing but Harry was a real classy human being."

Former world heavyweight champion Frank Bruno, who became closely identified with Carpenter, was "very upset" at the news. A spokesman for Bruno said: "Frank has many acquaintances but not many real friends. Harry Carpenter was a friend."

Former world champion Barry McGuigan said: "If Harry was there, you knew there was real interest in the fight."