Reg Gutteridge, the legendary boxing journalist, has died after a short illness, aged 84.
An amateur boxer from an early age, Gutteridge turned to journalism after losing a leg when he stepped on a mine at Normandy during the Second World War.
He worked for the ITV Evening News as its boxing correspondent for 40 years and made his name as the channel’s voice of boxing, later forming a commentating partnership with former world lightweight champion Jim Watt. The pair later moved to Sky.
Awarded an OBE in 1995, London-born Gutteridge also covered six Olympic Games.
Such was his popularity within boxing that he struck up friendships with many fighters. During the Eighties, while ill in hospital, Muhammad Ali was among the visitors.
In 2002 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Gutteridge, who lived in Barnet, passed away on Saturdayy. He leaves a wife, daughter and four grandsons.
Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe paid tribute, saying: “Reg Gutteridge was an outstanding commentator and observer of boxing, in print and on television – most famously for ITV.
“His distinctive voice, knowledge of the sport’s greats, insights from decades reporting it and partnership with Jim Watt brought boxing to life for so many viewers.
“Just two weeks ago we mourned the death of the BBC’s David Vine. With Reg’s passing, we have lost another figure so familiar from our TV screens over so many years – a real broadcasting great.”
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