Harry Carpenter
| Harry Carpenter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 October 1925 South Norwood, London |
| Died | 20 March 2010 (aged 84) King's College Hospital |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Sports commentator (Boxing) |
| Awards | OBE |
Harry Leonard Carpenter OBE (17 October 1925 – 20 March 2010)[1] was a British BBC sports commentator broadcasting from the early 1950s until his retirement in 1994. His speciality was boxing. He was presenter of programmes such as Sportsnight (1975–1985) and Grandstand and also anchored coverage of Wimbledon and golf tournaments.
His rapport with former WBC World Heavyweight Champion Frank Bruno was well known. Carpenter often conducted post-match interviews with Bruno, whose catchphrase was "know what I mean, 'Arry?", and their relationship helped give Bruno a "cuddly bear" image and a popularity with the British public beyond the boxing fraternity.
[edit] Biography
The son of a wholesale fish merchant at Billingsgate Market, Carpenter was born at South Norwood in South London and attended Selhurst Grammar School in Surrey. During World War II he served as a telegrapher in the Royal Navy.[1] He began sports reporting as a sub-editor for several national newspapers. He joined the BBC in 1949 and was the corporation's full-time boxing correspondent from 1962 until 1994, when Jim Neilly replaced him in that capacity. He served as a boxing columnist for the Sporting Record from 1950–1954. He then worked for the Daily Mail as a boxing writer and sports columnist from 1954 to 1962.
While writing for the national papers, Carpenter broadcast regularly on radio and television, covering thousands of professional and amateur fights including all Olympic Games from 1956 until 1992. He wrote three books about boxing, produced the documentary, The Richest Prize in Sport, and served as the voice of the Hall of Fame series, Sports Archive and Great Moments in Sport.
| “ | Suddenly Ali looks very tired indeed. In fact Ali, at times now, looks as though he can barely lift his arms up . . . Oh, he's got him with a right hand! He's got him! Oh, you can't believe it. And I don't think Foreman's going to get up. He's trying to beat the count. And he's out! Oh my God, he's won the title back at 32! | ” |
|
— Harry Carpenter commentating on The Rumble in the Jungle, October 1974[2]
|
While his name was most often associated with boxing, Carpenter established himself as one of England’s most versatile sportscasters, covering many of the major sporting events. He was a regular member of the broadcast team on Sportsnight and Grandstand and covered all major golf tournaments from 1965 until his retirement. He also served as commentator on the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race, and greyhound racing. He anchored Wimbledon for the BBC from 1967 until 1993. He was appointed OBE in the 1991 New Year Honours.[1]
He died in his sleep at King's College Hospital in South London in the early hours of Saturday morning, 20 March 2010, aged 84.[3][4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Obituary in The Times 23 March 2010
- ^ Viner, Brian (14 October 2002). "The 10 Greatest Bits of Commentary Ever". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/the-10-greatest-bits-of-commentary-ever-613964.html. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
- ^ "Harry Carpenter, the BBC's 'voice of boxing', dies". BBC News. 22 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/8580058.stm. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "The voice of boxing, Harry Carpenter, dies aged 84". STV. 22 March 2010. http://sport.stv.tv/boxing/165073-the-voice-of-boxing-harry-carpenter-dies-aged-84/. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
[edit] External links
- Harry Carpenter at the Internet Movie Database
- Harry Carpenter on the BBC website
- Harry Carpenter at American Sportscasters Online
- Harry Carpenter - Daily Telegraph obituary
