REMEMBERING HARRY PERRY

Patrick Myler on one of the greats of Irish amateur boxing

HARRY PERRY, one of the all-time greats of Irish amateur boxing, has died after a long illness in his native city of Dublin. He was 86.

In a career comprising around 300 bouts, he was nine times an Irish champion from featherweight to welterweight, represented his country in two Olympic Games and won a bronze medal in the European amateur championships in 1959.

Perry made an impressive entry into senior ranks while still a 17-year-old college student by capturing the Irish featherweight title in 1952.

Lauded as a bright prospect for a medal at that year’s Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, his hopes were dashed when the Irish Amateur Boxing Association decided he was too young to be risked.

He did qualify to wear the Irish green vest for the next Olympics, at Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, but made an early exit against the Frenchman Claude Saluden. Once again, he represented his country at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, but was eliminated on the tightest of split decisions against Korea’s Kim Ki Soo. On the domestic front, Perry

[inset] was best remembered for a series of thrilling encounters with Fred Tiedt, a 1956 Olympics silver medallist.

Often asked why he never turned professional, Harry admitted he was tempted by an offer from British bigtime promoter Jack Solomons but decided he was happiest boxing as an amateur, travelling around the world and getting chances to win medals at major tournaments.

Satisfied after capturing his ninth Irish title, Harry announced his retirement from the ring in 1962.

Employed in the Irish ferry company Sealink’s passenger sales division, he was later promoted to public relations officer.

Perry died on January 22.