Frank Warren and Barry McGuigan are among many who have paid tribute to boxer Ray Close, who has died at age 57.Close is widely recognised as one of the most gifted boxers to ever emerge from Northern Ireland.Close won Irish and European belts at super middleweight and retired with a 25-3-1 recordGettyAfter a decorated amateur career, the Belfast native turned professional in 1988 and claimed the European super-middleweight title in Italy five years later.His next fight would be among the most memorable of his career, as Close took on the legendary Chris Eubank in Scotland in May 1993, less than two months after winning EBU gold.Eubank was undefeated in 35 professional bouts when he met Close in Glasgow for the WBO super middleweight title and was pushed all the way to a controversial split draw on the judges’ scorecards.The pair rematched a year later in an electric atmosphere at Belfast’s Kings Hall, where Eubank retained his belt by split decision after another strong performance from Close.Close then had his licence withdrawn by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) after failing a routine MRI scan.The scan revealed two lesions on his brain, meaning a scheduled trilogy bout with Eubank never materialised.This prompted Close, who believed he had much more to give in the ring, to obtain a licence in the US, where he fought out the rest of his career.Close fought five times stateside between 1996 and 1997 and won all his bouts in Illinois before retiring with a 25-3 record, plus the famous draw against Eubank.Tributes flood in for ‘inspirational’ Close“Sending sincere condolences to the family of Ray Close. May he rest in peace,” longtime promoter Frank Warren, who looks after Tyson Fury, wrote on X Friday.Irish former world champion McGuigan added: “Sending my heartfelt condolences to the family of Northern Ireland boxer Ray Close RIP, who has died following a number of years living in a care home.”Close fought Eubank twice in 1993 and 1994 and many thought he should’ve got the nod in both fightsGettyThe Belfast man will go down as one of the most gifted boxers ever produced by Northern IrelandGettyBangor Abbey Boxing Academy, where Close trained after starting his boxing journey at Ledley Hall Youth in east Belfast at age 10, shared the news of his passing.A statement read: “Ray will be a huge loss to the boxing fraternity of Ireland and across the world.“Ray and his whole family have been a huge part of our club over the years right from the very start, and we are truly devastated.“He is now at peace and will be back on the pads up there with former trainer Herbie Young. I have no doubt. RIP Champ.”Ledley Hall Youth said: “Raymond’s boxing journey began here at Ledley Hall when he was just 10 years old.“This was his boxing home, and he went on to become the most successful boxer in the history of our club — something we will always be incredibly proud of.View Tweet: https://t.co/MPSh7sQ1Qw“But for us, Ray was so much more than his achievements in the ring. He was one of our own.“He was a true gentleman, humble, kind and always willing to give something back. “Ray returned to Ledley Hall to coach and support our boxers, sharing not just his knowledge and experience, but his time, encouragement and belief in the next generation.“To our young people, Ray was proof of what could be achieved. He came through the same doors, trained in the same club and went on to accomplish incredible things.“His story has inspired generations of young people at Ledley Hall and will continue to do so.“There are some people who become part of the history and heart of a place, and Ray will always be part of ours.”Close spent the last three years in a nursing home.He was a resident at the Phoenix Clinic in Newtownards, County Down, which is the only nursing home in Northern Ireland providing specialist care for people aged 18 to 65 with a physical disability.His son, Benjamin Close, ran the Belfast City Half Marathon last year in aid of the facility, saying it is ‘incredibly close to my family’s heart.’Ben said his dad was a resident ‘after suffering a traumatic brain injury as a result of his own amazing career as a professional boxer.’