Ray Close, a Belfast-born boxer who held the Irish super-middleweight title and the European title in the same division, died on October 2, 2026, at the age of 57. His death was confirmed by family members in Belfast, where he spent much of his life. Close’s career began in 1988.
He fought primarily in the super-middleweight division, winning the Irish title before claiming the European belt in 1993. He later finished his career competing in the light-heavyweight division.