Belfast boxing legend Ray Close, who twice fought Chris Eubank, dies aged 57

Belfast boxer Ray Close, who twice pushed Chris Eubank to the absolute limit in a pair of legendary world title fights, has died at the age of 57.

Close, who had been living at the Phoenix Clinic nursing home in Newtownards in recent years, passed away this week. His death has prompted widespread tributes from across the Irish and international boxing communities.

Born in 1969, Close began his boxing journey as a ten-year-old at the Ledley Hall Youth and Boxing Club in east Belfast. He quickly showed exceptional natural talent, putting together a highly decorated amateur career before turning professional in 1988. He captured the Irish super-middleweight title late the following year, establishing himself as one of the most exciting prospects of his generation.

The legendary battles with Chris Eubank

In March 1993, Close travelled to Lombardy, Italy, where he stopped Vincenzo Nardiello to win the EBU European super-middleweight title. But it was his subsequent rivalry with Chris Eubank that defined his career in the eyes of the British and Irish public.

In May 1993, Close went to Glasgow to challenge Eubank for his WBO world super-middleweight title. Eubank entered the ring undefeated in 35 professional fights, but Close produced a magnificent, relentless performance. After 12 rounds, the judges could not separate them, and the bout was declared a draw.

The inevitable rematch took place a year later in May 1994, this time in front of a raucous home crowd at the King's Hall in Belfast. In another gruelling, classic contest, Close came agonisingly close to victory once again, only to lose on a narrow split decision.

The brain scan that halted his career

The two fighters were scheduled to face each other for a third time in 1995 to settle the score. However, during a routine pre-fight medical, an MRI scan ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control revealed two lesions on Close’s brain.

His British licence was immediately revoked, and the fight was cancelled. Eubank instead fought Dubliner Steve Collins in Millstreet, Cork, where Collins famously stripped Eubank of his world title.

Despite the setback, Close was determined to return to the ring. He eventually managed to secure a licence from the Illinois State Boxing Commission in the United States. He fought five times in Illinois during 1996 and 1997, winning all of them, including a final knockout victory over Larry Willis in June 1997. He retired with an impressive lifetime record of 25 wins, three defeats, and one draw.

Moving tributes to a 'true gentleman'

Tributes have poured in from the gyms where Close first learned his craft. Ledley Hall, where Close’s journey began, said he was a "true gentleman, humble, kind and always willing to give something back."

The club said in a statement on Facebook: "To our young people, Ray was proof of what could be achieved. He was someone who had come through the same doors, trained in the same club and gone on to accomplish incredible things. Ray will always be part of our history and heart."

Bangor Abbey Boxing Academy, where Close trained in later years, expressed devastation at the news, describing him as a "huge loss to the boxing fraternity of Ireland and across the world."