Hugh McIlvanney RIP
The Sunday Times,
Hugh McIlvanney, who died on Thursday at the age of 84, was arguably the greatest sportswriter of his generation. He was the chief sports writer of The Sunday Times before his retirement three years ago.
He worked in the very best period for sports writers, a time when journalists were afforded hour after hour of meaningful access to true sporting giants...Muhammad Ali, Jock Stein, Matt Busby, Pele and Alex Ferguson (whose autobiography, Managing My Life, he ghost-wrote). He always maintained this gave him an unprecedented sporting education. And he was incredibly adept at putting that knowledge to good use.
Here we select 12 articles that bear testimony to his talent...
Muhammad Ali obituary
Hugh McIlvanney on the most compelling figure in the history of sport
The combination of a magnetising physical presence and a personality that was uniquely captivating made Muhammad Ali one of a kind
The combination of a magnetising physical presence and a personality that was uniquely captivating made Muhammad Ali one of a kind
Mike Tyson’s comeback
“I’m ready to rumble”
Mike Tyson wants the world to know that his rehabilitation as a boxer is nearly complete. He telephoned Hugh McIlvanney in his Philadelphia hotel room to tell of his readiness for this week’s contest against Buster Mathis Jr
Mike Tyson wants the world to know that his rehabilitation as a boxer is nearly complete. He telephoned Hugh McIlvanney in his Philadelphia hotel room to tell of his readiness for this week’s contest against Buster Mathis Jr
Muhammad Ali beats George Foreman
Rumble in the jungle
Muhammad Ali, the greatest sporting figure of the century, reached his zenith in Zaire 25 years ago
Muhammad Ali, the greatest sporting figure of the century, reached his zenith in Zaire 25 years ago
Evander Holyfield gets his ear bitten off
Boxing chews over Mike Tyson’s fate
Iron Mike deserves harsh treatment but the power of Mammon will find a way to let him back in the ring
Iron Mike deserves harsh treatment but the power of Mammon will find a way to let him back in the ring
The tragedy of Johnny Owen
Johnny Owen’s final fight
This is how Johnny Owen’s final fight was reported, just hours after it ended so brutally in a Los Angeles stadium
This is how Johnny Owen’s final fight was reported, just hours after it ended so brutally in a Los Angeles stadium
Ryan Giggs: the first interview
Ryan Giggs breaks silence with sound sense
Ryan Giggs has been under wraps. Now he goes on the record and Hugh McIlvanney finds the wonderboy talks as good a game as he plays
Ryan Giggs has been under wraps. Now he goes on the record and Hugh McIlvanney finds the wonderboy talks as good a game as he plays
Diego Maradona’s fall from grace
End of the world for Diego Maradona
As he braces himself to cope with the loss of the irreplaceable, maybe we should try to remember Diego Maradona at his finest
As he braces himself to cope with the loss of the irreplaceable, maybe we should try to remember Diego Maradona at his finest
Bob Paisley obituary
From the boot room to the pantheon
Bob Paisley steadied more pulses than his teams set racing. Hugh McIlvanney pays his respects
Bob Paisley steadied more pulses than his teams set racing. Hugh McIlvanney pays his respects
Brazil win the World Cup
Pele’s beautiful team
Hugh McIlvanney on the magnificent Brazilians of 1970, arguably the finest team ever assembled by the giants of world football
Hugh McIlvanney on the magnificent Brazilians of 1970, arguably the finest team ever assembled by the giants of world football
George Best obituary
Best: ‘If I had been born ugly, you would never have heard of Pele’
George Best admits if women had not found him so attractive his life would have been very different, but this article, published first in 1992, explains why many fans will always think of him with affection
George Best admits if women had not found him so attractive his life would have been very different, but this article, published first in 1992, explains why many fans will always think of him with affection
Salute to Sir Peter O’Sullevan
Sir Peter O’Sullevan: ‘The Voice enriched every life he touched’
I am honoured to have been able to call the great Sir Peter O’Sullevan a close friend
I am honoured to have been able to call the great Sir Peter O’Sullevan a close friend
My career as a sports writer
After six decades of writing, it’s time for a new chapter
Hugh McIlvanney retired from a remarkable career in journalism in 2016
Hugh McIlvanney retired from a remarkable career in journalism in 2016
Original Article Link
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hugh-mcilvanney-tribute-12-of-the-finest-stories-from-the-voice-of-sport-drj7ksvlv?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1548414293
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