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Rhyl Journal
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Carl Gizzi: Tributes to ‘legend' boxer who ‘put Rhyl on map'
Mr Gizzi, who was born in Rhyl in 1944, died aged 80 on April 27 following a battle with dementia, with his funeral held at St Asaph Crematorium on May 30. He is survived by his brother, Tony; his daughter, Renee, and son, Carl; and his two granddaughters, Monique and Stevie. As a boxer, Mr Gizzi was Welsh heavyweight champion from 1965 to 1971, and a British heavyweight title challenger in 1971. Carl Gizzi (Image: Jimmy Garland) Making his debut in the ring in 1964, he went on to win 31 of his 43 bouts (with 11 KOs), with opponents including Jack Bodell and Joe Bugner, while he also sparred with Muhammad Ali. After retirement, Mr Gizzi worked as a bouncer, including at the now-closed Rhyl club The Bistro on West Parade, and as a window cleaner. In 1972, he married his wife, Heather, who died in 2016, and became a father in 1974 when Renee was born, with Carl following in 1975. Renee Gizzi celebrated the life her 'amazing' father, who she described as 'the perfect gentle giant'. She said: 'He would give everybody the time of day. He was always there for other people. 'He was big family man; even though he had all the fame when he was younger, he didn't care about that, and it didn't go to his head. 'His boxing was amazing; he was a big gentle giant even when he was in the ring. He would never get in the ring first; he'd always wait for his opponent to get in the ring before him. He thought: 'First in, first out'.' Carl Gizzi with his late sister, Sandra (Image: Jimmy Garland) Donations pledged at Mr Gizzi's funeral will part of a £1,000 offering to the Gwanwyn ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, whose staff Ms Gizzi said were 'amazing' in caring for him. She said Mr Gizzi's funeral was a 'really beautiful celebration of his life', with the last song at the service No Limit by 2 Unlimited. Ms Gizzi added: 'He just loved being outside in the fresh air. All the way up to COVID, he was still working. 'He was always there for us. Anything you wanted, he'd be there. When I bought my house at age 20, he was always on hand to help. 'My dad always wanted to celebrate life; he never thought the worst.' Actor Spencer Wilding, from Rhyl, said Mr Gizzi 'put Rhyl on the map' and 'brought so much happiness to the town'. Spencer Wilding with Carl Gizzi (Image: Spencer Wilding) He added: 'He was my cousin, but I called him 'Uncle Carl'. I was glad to have loved him; he was the 'number one'. We all looked up to him. He was a legend. 'Carl fought before I was born, but you'd have trains pulling up to Rhyl full of people coming to watch him fight. 'I used to walk past Carl every weekend and he'd always say hello outside The Bistro. I loved Uncle Carl; I'd go and see him many a time. 'Everyone in the boxing world had so much respect for him. He was a gentleman. He had the best left jab in the business; he was a brilliant boxer. 'He was a very special soul, and I loved him so much.' Spencer Wilding with Carl Gizzi (Image: Spencer Wilding) Peter Trehearn, who got to know Mr Gizzi personally through his cousin, said he was a 'second to none' bouncer who 'greeter customers as friends' at The Bistro. He was, Mr Trehearn added, a 'protective big brother and father figure'. 'I had known of Carl from a distance as 'the' Rhyl icon since my youth, and had seen him box in Liverpool when I was trying out boxing in Rhyl Youth Club circa 1966-67. 'Carl was a thoughtful, gentle and modest person, and above all, a family man who was loved and respected by all. 'He made customers safe to relax and enjoy The Bistro's atmosphere. He is the reason that the Bistro had and still has, in customers' memories, such a good reputation. 'Renee and Carl Jr gifted us a lovely classical statue from their father's home which stands in our garden, and is a reminder of a long and continuing friendship.' Carl Gizzi (Image: Jimmy Garland) Jimmy Garland, Mr Gizzi's nephew, called his uncle 'a gentleman, a giant, and a guardian'. He said: 'In the days when legends like Muhammad Ali reigned in the ring, our very own 'Uncle Mickey' - Carl Gizzi - stood among the world's best. 'Ranked fifth in the world as a heavyweight boxer, he wasn't just a fighter by title - he was one by heart, spirit, and grit; A man whose hands could move with thunder, but whose heart beat with warmth and loyalty. 'Uncle Mickey became a silent guardian at the doors of clubs and venues. With his imposing frame, he kept the peace, not with force but with presence — a protector, not a provoker. And always, with his signature smoking pipe in hand. 'Uncle Mickey was the kind of man whose strength never drowned out his kindness. Whether it was in the boxing ring, on the doors, or at the dinner table, he was deeply respected — and deeply loved. 'A warrior in his youth, a watchman in his later years, and a legend in our hearts forever.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
90s popstar looks unrecognisable 34 years after number one hit catapulted singer to chart topping fame
A 90s popstar looks completely unrecognisable 34 years after they topped the charts with smash hit. The singer, now 53, made up one half of iconic dance group 2 Unlimited who were catapulted to fame and sold a whopping 18million records worldwide. The Belgian-Dutch duo's debut single Get Ready For This cemented them in music history after becoming one of the most frequently played songs at sporting events around the world, according to Pitchfork. The group released forty five songs, four albums and split in 1996 before eventually launching a comeback in 2009. Back at the peak of her career the star wasn't afraid to experiment with her style, sporting a range of hairstyles including braids and dreadlocks. However now she she has made a big departure from her edgy style, but can you guess who it is? That's right! It's Anita Doth. The singer songwriter made up one half of 2 Unlimited alongside rapper Ray Slijngaard with the pair scoring sixteen international chart hits and two UK number one albums. Their 1993 hit single No Limit soared in the charts while Get Ready For This reached number two in the UK charts and led to the pair performing on Top Of The Pops in 1991. They have sold eighteen million records worldwide and their tracks even became popular themes in American NBA and NHL. Now Anita has bid goodbye to her braids and bold style choices for a more understated style. Meanwhile she is styling her hair in their natural curls and her skimpy crop tops and leather corsets are also a thing of the past. 2 Unlimited split in 1996 before launching a comeback in 2009. However the pair were forced to perform under the name name of Ray & Anita after it was believed that producer Jean-Paul de Coster denied them permission to perform as 2 Unlimited due to him owning the band's copyright. They then split again in 2016 for Anita to concentrate on her solo career, she was replaced by Kim Vergouwen and later Michele Karamat who continues to tour with rapper Ray. Their 1993 hit single No Limit soared in the charts while Get Ready For This reached number two in the UK charts and led to the pair performing on Top Of The Pops in 1991 The star continued performing with Ray during her treatment while receiving chemotherapy and in 2011 she announced she was cancer free (pictured in 2014) As a solo artist she has released numerous singles as well as a 2000 album Reality. Anita has also faced her own personal battles after it was revealed in 2010 that she was being treated for breast cancer. The star continued performing with Ray during her treatment while receiving chemotherapy and in 2011 she announced she was cancer free. She keeps her private life out the spotlight but welcomed a daughter in February 2014 after revealing her pregnancy on Twitter in November 2013.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
90s pop star, 53, looks unrecognisable 29 years after No1 smashes, bitter band split and cancer battle
Eight of their singles placed in the top 10 in the UK charts REAL THING 90s pop star, 53, looks unrecognisable 29 years after No1 smashes, bitter band split and cancer battle THIS 90s pop star looks practically unrecognisable 29 years after her number one smash hit. However, she has faced a turbulent journey following a bitter band split and she went on to battle cancer. 6 Anita Doth is best known for her part in making 2 Unlimited a success Credit: Instagram / nono2solo_ft._anita_doth 6 She achieved mainstream success in the 90s alongside rapper Ray Slijngaard Credit: Getty Anita Doth, 53, is a singer and songwriter who was best known for her tenure in 2 Unlimited. Along with rapper Ray Slijngaard, the pair achieved significant success in the music industry. From 1991 until 1996, the duo released sixteen international chart hits and two UK number one Albums. No Limits released in 1993 and Real Things in 1994 both shot to the top of the Dutch and the UK charts. READ MORE ON 90s STARS WHAT THE CLUCK? The 90s star whose hits raked in £8.2million reveals she now makes burgers The former album reached the top 10 in six other countries whilst Real Things went to number two in Sweden. Eight singles placed in the UK top 10 and their biggest hit No Limit went to number one in seven territories. Back in her heyday, Anita often sported different styles of hair including dreadlocks. Now, she proudly promotes her solo gigs on her Instagram along with a new look. The heavy 90s makeup has made way for a more subtle glam look with either a high ponytail or a curly afro that's combined with a subtle smokey shadow. Her cropped t-shirts and skimpy leather numbers have also been replaced with sophisticated blazers and slinky floor length dresses. 90s popstars unrecognisable 29 years after global smash hit single - do you recognise them? However, the star has had quite the personal journey away from the limelight and pressures of the industry. In 2013, Anita announced via her account on X - formerly known as Twitter - that 2 Unlimited would be taking a break. This was because she was pregnant and she welcomed her child in 2014. Two years later, she decided to formally depart from the duo to embark on a solo career, In August 2016, The singer was replaced by Kim Vergouwen and the news was announced via Slijngaard's social media profile. In 2010, Doth announced that she was undergoing chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, she still continued to perform as much as possible during her treatment. She was given the all-clear a year later in 2011 after she was declared cancer-free. 6 Anita Doth was known for her different hairstyles and skimpy leather numbers Credit: Getty 6 She took a break from the band to have a baby in 2014 Credit: AFP 6 She eventually departed 2 Unlimited to embark on a solo career Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
90s pop star, 53, looks unrecognisable 29 years after No1 smashes, bitter band split and cancer battle
THIS 90s pop star looks practically unrecognisable 29 years after her number one smash hit. However, she has faced a turbulent journey following a bitter band split and she went on to battle cancer. Advertisement 6 Anita Doth is best known for her part in making 2 Unlimited a success Credit: Instagram / nono2solo_ft._anita_doth 6 She achieved mainstream success in the 90s alongside rapper Ray Slijngaard Credit: Getty Anita Doth, 53, is a singer and songwriter who was best known for her tenure in 2 Unlimited. Along with rapper Ray Slijngaard, the pair achieved significant success in the music industry. From 1991 until 1996, the duo released sixteen international chart hits and two UK number one Albums. No Limits released in 1993 and Real Things in 1994 both shot to the top of the Dutch and the UK charts. Advertisement READ MORE ON 90s STARS The former album reached the top 10 in six other countries whilst Real Things went to number two in Sweden. Eight singles placed in the UK top 10 and their biggest hit No Limit went to number one in seven territories. Back in her heyday, Anita often sported different styles of hair including dreadlocks. Now, she proudly promotes her solo gigs on her Instagram along with a new look. Advertisement Most read in Music The heavy 90s makeup has made way for a more subtle glam look with either a high ponytail or a curly afro that's combined with a subtle smokey shadow. Her cropped t-shirts and skimpy leather numbers have also been replaced with sophisticated blazers and slinky floor length dresses. 90s popstars unrecognisable 29 years after global smash hit single - do you recognise them? However, the star has had quite the personal journey away from the limelight and pressures of the industry. In 2013, Anita announced via her account on X - formerly known as Twitter - that 2 Unlimited would be taking a break. Advertisement This was because she was pregnant and she welcomed her child in 2014. Two years later, she decided to formally depart from the duo to embark on a solo career, In August 2016, The singer was replaced by Kim Vergouwen and the news was announced via Slijngaard's social media profile. In 2010, Doth announced that she was undergoing chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Advertisement However, she still continued to perform as much as possible during her treatment. She was given the all-clear a year later in 2011 after she was declared cancer-free. 6 Anita Doth was known for her different hairstyles and skimpy leather numbers Credit: Getty 6 She took a break from the band to have a baby in 2014 Credit: AFP Advertisement 6 She eventually departed 2 Unlimited to embark on a solo career Credit: Getty 6 The singer regularly promotes her solo gigs on her social media Credit: Instagram / nono2solo_ft._anita_doth
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
90s pop star, 53, looks unrecognisable 29 years after No1 smashes, bitter band split and cancer battle
THIS 90s pop star looks practically unrecognisable 29 years after her number one smash hit. However, she has faced a turbulent journey following a bitter band split and she went on to battle cancer. 6 Anita Doth, 53, is a singer and songwriter who was best known for her tenure in 2 Unlimited. Along with rapper Ray Slijngaard, the pair achieved significant success in the music industry. From 1991 until 1996, the duo released sixteen international chart hits and two UK number one Albums. No Limits released in 1993 and Real Things in 1994 both shot to the top of the Dutch and the UK charts. The former album reached the top 10 in six other countries whilst Real Things went to number two in Sweden. Eight singles placed in the UK top 10 and their biggest hit No Limit went to number one in seven territories. Back in her heyday, Anita often sported different styles of hair including dreadlocks. Now, she proudly promotes her solo gigs on her Instagram along with a new look. The heavy 90s makeup has made way for a more subtle glam look with either a high ponytail or a curly afro that's combined with a subtle smokey shadow. Her cropped t-shirts and skimpy leather numbers have also been replaced with sophisticated blazers and slinky floor length dresses. However, the star has had quite the personal journey away from the limelight and pressures of the industry. In 2013, Anita announced via her account on X - formerly known as Twitter - that 2 Unlimited would be taking a break. This was because she was pregnant and she welcomed her child in 2014. Two years later, she decided to formally depart from the duo to embark on a solo career, In August 2016, The singer was replaced by Kim Vergouwen and the news was announced via Slijngaard's social media profile. In 2010, Doth announced that she was undergoing chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, she still continued to perform as much as possible during her treatment. She was given the all-clear a year later in 2011 after she was declared cancer-free. 6 6 6
