Harry Carpenter, the man known as the voice of British boxing, has died in his sleep aged 84.

The fish merchant’s son from South Norwood grew up to become one of the most recognisable voices on the sporting airwaves, covering the Olympics, major golf tournaments and Wimbledon as well as his beloved boxing during a 40-year career.

His name also became synonymous with heavyweight great Frank Bruno thanks to the boxer’s habit of using the catchphrase ‘Know what I mean, ‘arry?’ during his post-bout interviews.

The friendship between the two men was clear during Bruno’s world title fight against Mike Tyson in 1989, when Mr Carpenter famously let his impartiality slip by calling “Go on, get in there Frank.”

Boxing promoter Frank Maloney described the versatile commentator as “the voice of British boxing”.

He said: “He was probably one of the greatest commentators of all time. His voice was so distinctive and I remember all those Ali fights and Bruno fights he commentated on.

“It's like a piece of boxing history has been taken away.”

Mr Carpenter attended Selhurst Grammar School as a boy before beginning his career in sports reporting as a sub-editor on several national newspapers.

He went on to cover a series of huge sporting occasions following his move to television and radio, and was on air for the legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ bout between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman in Zaire in 1974.

The broadcaster has since described the end of the contest, which saw a visibly shattered Ali manage to knock out Foreman, as “the most extraordinary few seconds that I have ever seen in a boxing ring”.

He died at Kings College Hospital early on Saturday morning after a long illness caused by a minor heart attack last summer, leaving a widow and one son.

Mr Carpenter’s lawyer, David Wills, said: “The funeral has not been arranged but will be a family funeral, to be followed by a memorial service in London.”

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