Ray Close: key obituary facts
Is Ray Close dead? Yes. Ray Close died on October 2, 2026, at age 57.
Cause of death: Ray Close's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Ray Close known for?
He was a British boxer.
More about Ray Close
Born: 20 January 1969.
Place of birth: Belfast.
Gender: male.
Occupation: boxer.
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Ray Close, a Northern Irish boxer, died on October 2, 2026, aged 57.
Born in Belfast, he spent much of his career in the super-middleweight division before finishing in the light-heavyweight class. He grew up in east Belfast and attended Knockbreda High School.
Close turned professional in 1988 and went on to win the Irish super-middleweight title, later adding the EBU European super-middleweight title in 1993.