Ray Close
Encyclopedia
Ray Close is a former boxer who fought for most of his career in the Super Middleweight
division, ending his career in the Light Heavyweight
division. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly Mormon
.
, Belfast, when he knocked out Manchester
's Steve Foster in the second of six rounds on a card that included fellow Northern Irish boxers Eammon Loughran and Sam Storey
.
In his seventh bout he beat Rocky McGran to win the vacant Irish Super Middleweight title. He successfully defended the title against Terry Magee
, the older brother of Eamonn
and Noel
, in Dublin in 1991. In 1993, he defeated Vincenzo Nardiello
to win the EBU
European Super Middleweight title in Italy
.
for the WBO
Super Middleweight title. In what would be the first of his two fights against Eubank, the match was declared a draw. After an October win against Ray Domenge, Close again faced Eubank in a rematch at Belfast's King's Hall
. Despite having the partisan Belfast crowd behind him, Close lost the match on a split points decision. Both fights with Eubank caused considerable controversy, as Eubank floored Close in the first and had him on the verge of a knockout, yet the fight was declared a draw. The second fight, in which Close performed better, was deemed a points loss.
revoked Close's licence after he failed an MRI scan. Two lesions were subsequently found on his brain. Although Close had his British licence revoked he obtained a licence to in the U.S.
from the Illinois State Boxing Commission. Close generally fought journeyman boxers in the United States
, and finished his career with a run of five straight victories with his last fight being against Cleveland's Larry Willis in which Close won by a knockout in the fifth of eight rounds.
There was some press speculation in 2002 that Close was going to make a return to the ring in an unlicensed boxing event in Belfast, however the fight did not materialise.
Super middleweight
Super Middleweight is a boxing and Muay Thai weight division that has a weight limit of 168 pounds .- 1960s–1983 :There was interest in a division between Middleweight and Light Heavyweight in the late 1960s, the mid-1970s, and the early 1980s...
division, ending his career in the Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
division. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
.
Professional career
Close turned professional in October 1988, winning his first fight at the Ulster HallUlster Hall
The Ulster Hall is a concert hall and grade B1 listed building in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Situated on Bedford Street in Belfast city centre, the hall hosts concerts, classical recitals, craft fairs and political party conferences...
, Belfast, when he knocked out Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
's Steve Foster in the second of six rounds on a card that included fellow Northern Irish boxers Eammon Loughran and Sam Storey
Sam Storey
Sam Storey is a former professional boxer. Storey fought at Super Middleweight and won the British Super Middleweight Title in 1995....
.
In his seventh bout he beat Rocky McGran to win the vacant Irish Super Middleweight title. He successfully defended the title against Terry Magee
Terry Magee
Terry Magee is a former professional boxer. Magee, the older brother of Eamonn and Noel, fought at Light Middleweight but also fought at heavier weights towards the end of his career.-Background:...
, the older brother of Eamonn
Eamonn Magee
Eamonn Magee nicknamed the Terminator is a former boxer who is now a trainer with the Breen Team in Belfast...
and Noel
Noel Magee
Noel Magee is a former professional boxer and former Commonwealth light heavyweight Title holder...
, in Dublin in 1991. In 1993, he defeated Vincenzo Nardiello
Vincenzo Nardiello
Vincenzo Nardiello is a retired world championship Italian boxer in the super middleweight division.- Amateur Achievements :*1984 Italian superlightweight champion*1985 Silver Trofeo Italy...
to win the EBU
European Boxing Union
The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
European Super Middleweight title in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Eubank fights
Later the same year Close faced Chris EubankChris Eubank
Chris Eubank, Lord of the Manor of Brighton is a retired British boxer who held world titles at middleweight and super middleweight...
for the WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...
Super Middleweight title. In what would be the first of his two fights against Eubank, the match was declared a draw. After an October win against Ray Domenge, Close again faced Eubank in a rematch at Belfast's King's Hall
King's Hall
King's Hall may refer to the following:*King's Hall, Cambridge - former college in the University of Cambridge, England*King's Hall, Belfast - concert hall, boxing and conference venue in Northern Ireland...
. Despite having the partisan Belfast crowd behind him, Close lost the match on a split points decision. Both fights with Eubank caused considerable controversy, as Eubank floored Close in the first and had him on the verge of a knockout, yet the fight was declared a draw. The second fight, in which Close performed better, was deemed a points loss.
Revoked licence and retirement
A third fight with Eubank was scheduled in 1995. However shortly before the match the British Boxing Board of ControlBritish Boxing Board of Control
The British Boxing Board of Control is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff.- Councils :...
revoked Close's licence after he failed an MRI scan. Two lesions were subsequently found on his brain. Although Close had his British licence revoked he obtained a licence to in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from the Illinois State Boxing Commission. Close generally fought journeyman boxers in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and finished his career with a run of five straight victories with his last fight being against Cleveland's Larry Willis in which Close won by a knockout in the fifth of eight rounds.
There was some press speculation in 2002 that Close was going to make a return to the ring in an unlicensed boxing event in Belfast, however the fight did not materialise.