https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/spor ... 04512.html
Only 57. I thought he beat Eubank myself. Both times.
RIP Ray Close
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overhand_right
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1196
- Joined: 19 Jul 2003, 07:25
Re: RIP Ray Close
These fights feel like yesterday to me.
He was in care the last few years of his life. Boxing related?
He was in care the last few years of his life. Boxing related?
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Controversial
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 9315
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: RIP Ray Close
I read he had a brain injury so possiblyoverhand_right wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 10:17 These fights feel like yesterday to me.
He was in care the last few years of his life. Boxing related?
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The Pocket Rocket
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 47
- Joined: 05 Nov 2003, 10:52
Re: RIP Ray Close
This is gutting. I had him winning both fights vs WBO darling Eubank.
I didn't actually know he wasn't well, so that makes it even sadder. May he rest in peace
I didn't actually know he wasn't well, so that makes it even sadder. May he rest in peace
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Old bones Ian
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 11859
- Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 07:33
Re: RIP Ray Close
Sad news , saw an article last year that his son was fundraising for the home Ray was in and that he was there due to the damage from boxing.
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JamesPhilips
- Super Bantamweight
- Posts: 7002
- Joined: 19 Mar 2021, 06:43
Re: RIP Ray Close
Wow. That’s so young. Although I saw a documentary on Jerry Quarry who had dementia at 53…. What a shameOld bones Ian wrote: ↑02 Oct 2026, 15:17 Sad news , saw an article last year that his son was fundraising for the home Ray was in and that he was there due to the damage from boxing.
Re: RIP Ray Close
RIP 
When he found his rhythm Ray was a good boxer on the move.
He certainly caused a surprise in Italy when Close came back with European title after beating the awkward spoiler Vincenzo Nardielo.
Ray gave Eubank all the trouble he could handle twice and snapped Eubank's long winning run, holding him to a draw in the first fight.
Interesting to note the possible reasons leading to Ray's death.
The BBBofC revoked his license prior to a planned 3rd fight with Eubank after a brain scan caused some concern, but Close went to America and boxed a few more times against lower level opposition before calling it a day.
When he found his rhythm Ray was a good boxer on the move.
He certainly caused a surprise in Italy when Close came back with European title after beating the awkward spoiler Vincenzo Nardielo.
Ray gave Eubank all the trouble he could handle twice and snapped Eubank's long winning run, holding him to a draw in the first fight.
Interesting to note the possible reasons leading to Ray's death.
The BBBofC revoked his license prior to a planned 3rd fight with Eubank after a brain scan caused some concern, but Close went to America and boxed a few more times against lower level opposition before calling it a day.