Full Breakdown
Ray Close Dies at 57, Leaving a Legacy Defined by Epic Battles with Chris Eubank
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Former European super-middleweight champion Ray Close, a Belfast native born in 1969, died at the age of 57. News of his death was announced in early October 2026. Close is remembered primarily for his two world-title bouts against the unbeaten WBO champion Chris Eubank in 1993 and 1994, both of which ended in draws on the scorecards before a split-decision loss in the rematch. A third fight was cancelled after the British Boxing Board of Control revoked his licence following an MRI that revealed two brain lesions.
Background & Context
Close turned professional in 1988 after a decorated amateur career that included Irish titles and success at the European level. He captured the Irish super-middleweight title in late 1989 and, on St Patrick’s Day 1993, won the European Boxing Union (EBU) super-middleweight title by stopping Vincenzo Nardiello in Italy. His first clash with Eubank took place in Glasgow in May 1993; the bout was scored a draw despite Eubank entering the ring with a perfect 35-win record. The rematch a year later was held at the King’s Hall in Belfast and ended with a narrow split-decision victory for Eubank. After the licence revocation, Close obtained a permit from the Illinois State Boxing Commission and fought five bouts in the United States between 1996 and 1997, finishing with a knockout win over Larry Willis in June 1997 before retiring.
Data & Statistics
- European Title: EBU super-middleweight champion, 1993.
- World-Title Fights vs. Eubank: 1993 (draw) and 1994 (split-decision loss).
- U.S. Record: Five victories in Illinois, including a June 1997 knockout.
- Professional Record (discrepancies):
- BBC and The42 list 25 wins, three defeats, one draw.
- Irish News (both articles) list 25 wins, two defeats, one draw.
Official Statements & Responses
The statement added, “RIP champ.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The primary inconsistency across sources concerns Close’s total number of defeats. The BBC and The42 each record three losses, while Irish News records only two. No source provides a detailed fight-by-fight breakdown to reconcile the difference, leaving the exact loss count unresolved. Additionally, while all outlets agree on the five U.S. victories, the precise years are variably described as “1996 and 1997” versus “1996-1997”, but the overall timeline remains consistent.
Why It Matters
Close’s career illustrates the thin line between triumph and tragedy in professional boxing. His ability to push an unbeaten champion to a draw elevated the profile of Northern Irish boxing on the world stage, while the revocation of his licence underscores the sport’s ongoing health-safety challenges. The outpouring of grief from the Bangor Abbey Boxing Academy and the broader boxing community highlights his lasting influence on future generations of Irish fighters.