Harry Carpenter memorial service

Barry McGuigan, Henry Cooper and Billy Walker all flew the boxing flag high on Tuesday when turning out for Harry Carpenter’s memorial service at St Bride’s Church in London.

Despite the service being delayed because of congestion caused by the state opening of parliament McGuigan was right on time with his tribute to the BBC’s ‘Voice of boxing.’

McGuigan recalled his first with meeting with Harry came at the 1978 Commonwealth games when Harry was honest enough to admit that he thought Barry was fortunate to get the decision after fighting.

And it soon became apparent to the Irishman that even Harry being there was a positive reflection on your career as he complimented his qualities.

“You knew you had arrived when Harry commentated," said McGuigan. “He articulated elegantly every move and could often be seen visiting gyms to watch boxers spar and train. He was a class act, one of the greatest and unique voices.”

Barry also said Carpenter covered many of the greatest names to grace a ring including Sonny Liston, Sugar Ray Robinson, Archie Moore, Joe Frazier and George Foreman. British boxing greats that also had the privilege of being covered by Harry were John Conteh, Alan Minter, Charlie Magri, John H Stracey and Lloyd Honeyghan.

Harry's only son Clive read a passage from the Bible which speaks on there being a time for everything, culminating in saying that a man should take pleasure in all his toil as it's  God's gift to man. (And I only ever saw Harry enjoying his work!)

The hour long  thanksgiving service also included an item from Des Lynam who read a tribute from the absent Frank Bruno who became a close friend of Carpenter in which Bruno said that ‘He and Harry was never a planned double act but with my intelligence and his good looks it was inevitable we’d go far.’

Bruno summed up the common feeling for Harry by saying “He was one in a trillion.”

Also in the attendance of around 150 people were former tennis champion Virginia Wade and veteran boxing writers Colin Hart and Jeff Powell.

Golf commentator Peter Alliss gave the final tribute and said “He was a nice person with a wicked sense of humour.”

After the service the crowd gathered at the nearby Press House Wine Bar where his son Clive shared that Harry often commented after someone close dying 'There goes another one. There won't be any left to attend my funeral.'

Raising his glass with one and all Clive said "Well Dad, you got it wrong."

But when it came to boxing Harry was no wild swinger or predictor.

And it seems most are unanimous in their verdict on Harry.