Farewell to Harry
The immortal words of Harry Carpenter, boxing royalty whose passing this weekend evoked that unforgettable sound bite from the man hailed as BBC Sport’s ‘voice of boxing’. It was 1989 and, as British institution Frank Bruno crashed a pearler of a left hook against Mike Tyson’s noggin, Harry temporarily allowed emotion to override his impeccable professionalism in urging on big Frank. It was an outburst Harry would later profess to be ashamed of, yet it endeared him to the nation and cemented his position as a national treasure.
Harry reigned as the BBC’s king of the mic from 1962-1994. He was a true gentleman, one hailing from another age entirely, a consummate pro whose sheer enthusiasm for the noble art lent itself to wonderful commentary. I myself am hard pushed to watch the culmination of ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ without shouting, (or at the very least thinking) “Oh my God, he’s won the title back at 32!”.
He forged a wonderful relationship with Muhammad Ali and often appeared beguiled in the great man’s presence. I remember footage of him strolling around Miami with the young heavyweight who was destined to be king and cruising with him in his Cadillac. Harry had a proud swagger about him, like a younger sibling striding out alongside their elder brother. As he chuckled and guffawed at the wise cracks Ali offered him, his whole body would shake and judder with unbridled joy, which of course only encouraged his subject to entertain him further.
It was this enthusiasm which elevated his work. He held a real love for the fight game which transferred over to his viewership and helped to usher in new generations of fans to the sport.
As the news of his departure filters out, much will be made of his relationships with Bruno and Ali, two heavyweights separated in talent yet bound by their larger than life characters which married themselves perfectly to the medium of television. Harry’s voice will be bound to the pair forever, he himself a true heavyweight champion of broadcasting, he too a wonderful character.
He will be missed.
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