By Ben Carey
After a long and illustrious career ITV’s “voice of boxing” Reg Gutteridge sadly passed away on Sunday following a short illness. While Reg (who was 84) had been off our screens for a while (with John Rawling commentating for ITV upon the station’s return to boxing in 2005 after the absence of a decade) he was always warmly regarded and highly respected by viewers and those who worked with him.
Reg was very articulate and had the ability to astutely call the action without resorting to shouting or shrieking. Alongside co-commentator Jim Watt, the pair formed an excellent partnership and commentated on Boxing’s biggest fights on both sides of the Atlantic in the 80s and 90s involving Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lloyd Honeyghan’s famous win over Don Curry, to name just a few.
As a youngster getting into boxing I feel as though I grew up listening to Reg. I’ll never forget his trademark sayings such as “they’re right above us now” and “it’s all over bar the shouting”. I also distinctly remember Reg referring to Iran Barkley as “bleeding like a stut pig” before he uncorked a sensational jackpot punch to floor Thomas Hearns in the third round of their first meeting and for exclaiming “the big hitter has been hit!” right after Michael Watson famously felled Nigel Benn with a jab.
Reg leaves behind a wife, daughter and four grandsons and will always be fondly remembered.
