Ray Close, former European champion who drew with Chris Eubank, dies at 57

Amateur background and European championship

Ray Close was born in Belfast in 1969 and began his development inside Northern Ireland's amateur boxing system. He built a decorated amateur record over several years before deciding to turn professional in 1988. Over the following five years, Close climbed through the super middleweight ranks, establishing himself among the most gifted boxers Northern Ireland had produced. His European title arrived on St Patrick's Day in 1993, when he won the European Boxing Union (EBU) super middleweight belt. That victory cemented his status in European boxing and positioned him for world title contention against reigning champions in the division.

World title bouts against Chris Eubank

Close gained widespread attention for his two world title bouts against Chris Eubank, the defending WBO super middleweight champion. Eubank entered their first meeting in Glasgow in May 1993 having won all 35 of his previous professional contests. Close gave the champion an exceptionally difficult contest across twelve rounds, and the ringside judges were unable to separate the two fighters, resulting in a draw. A rematch was held in 1994 inside a packed King's Hall in Belfast. Fighting before his home crowd, Close put together another strong performance over twelve rounds, but Eubank retained his belt via a split decision.

Medical stoppage and Illinois campaign

A third bout between Close and Eubank was scheduled to take place, but British boxing authorities intervened before the trilogy could proceed. The British Boxing Board of Control revoked Close's boxing licence after a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan revealed two lesions on his brain. The medical decision prevented him from fighting in the United Kingdom and cancelled the planned third fight. Close later resumed his career by obtaining a licence in the United States, staging all five of his American bouts in Illinois. He won all five fights in the state, ending his career in June 1997 with a knockout victory over Larry Willis. Close finished his professional career with 25 wins, three defeats, and one draw.

Grassroots tributes in Northern Ireland

Following the announcement that Close died at the age of 57, tributes emerged from the amateur clubs where he began his career. Ledley Hall Youth and Boxing Club in Belfast praised his conduct both inside and outside the sport. The club described him as "a true gentleman, humble, kind and always ready to give back," adding that his career served as proof to young competitors of what could be achieved through boxing. Bangor Abbey Boxing Academy also paid tribute to Close, describing his death as "a massive loss to the boxing community in Ireland and the wider world."