Thursday 25 March 2010

Harry Carpenter


Harry Carpenter passed away earlier this week. He was known as 'the voice of boxing', having covered the sport for the BBC for over 30 years. However, it should not be forgotten that he was also heavily involved in Wimbledon, golf and the university boat race, as well as presenting Grandstand and Sportsnight.

I will remember Harry Carpenter for two reasons. He was around in the days when the BBC seriously covered British sport. And he was around in the days when boxing was watched by a large TV audience. We tuned in especially. For a sport that was, essentially, alien to the daily living habits of the nation. Not to listen or see Harry I hasten to add - his delivery style relied on his abilty to be ordinary, in the backgound, and yet authorititive at the same time. So when he did get excited - you knew the action was worth watching. Harry Carpenter was a great broadcaster - and a damn nice man.

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