Story perspectives

Boxing Board Revokes Ray Close’s License After Brain Lesions

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 2:16 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Ray Close, former European super-middleweight champion, died at age 57.
He captured the EBU super-middleweight title on St Patrick’s Day 1993, stopping Vincenzo Nardiello in Italy.
He fought Chris Eubank to a draw in May 1993 and lost the 1994 rematch by split decision.
The Boxing Board revoked his licence after an MRI revealed two brain lesions.

History

Historical Context

Davey Moore’s fatal brain injury after losing to Sugar Ramos on March 21 1963, witnessed by 22,000 fans, shocked the sport. Pope John XXIII called boxing “barbaric,” and the tragedy prompted the first major safety reforms, establishing medical examinations as a licensing requirement. Those reforms still shape modern boxing health regulations worldwide.

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Story summary

Ray Close, former European super-middleweight champion, died at age 57.
He captured the EBU super-middleweight title on St Patrick’s Day 1993, stopping Vincenzo Nardiello in Italy.
He fought Chris Eubank to a draw in May 1993 and lost the 1994 rematch by split decision.
The Boxing Board revoked his licence after an MRI revealed two brain lesions.

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