Ken Buchanan: Scotland's first undisputed boxing world champion dies at 77

[Clegg]

Ken Buchanan, Scotland's first undisputed world champion and arguably the country's greatest boxer, has died at the age of 77.

The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed the Edinburgh native's death on Saturday, a year after his son Mark confirmed that his father had been diagnosed with dementia.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep," read a statement. "RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see."

Having turned professional in 1965, Buchanan memorably won the WBA lightweight world title by dethroning Panama's Ismael Laguna in the scorching heat of Puerto Rico in 1970.

That same year, the Scot was the American Boxing Writers' Association's Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

He defeated Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles in 1971 to take the WBC crown and become Scotland's first undisputed world champion, a feat only matched 50 years later by Josh Taylor.

Buchanan, who topped the bill six times at New York's famous Madison Square Garden arena, won his first 33 professional fights and retired in 1982 with a 61-9 record, including 27 wins by knockout.

He was inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in 2000, and a statue of Buchanan was unveiled in Leith in his home city of Edinburgh last year to honour his storied boxing career.

He had been living in an Edinburgh care home prior to his death, with his son saying the dementia was likely "a result of his sport". 'My hero & Scotland's greatest' - reaction


Fellow Edinburgh boxer and world champion Josh Taylor, who had been mentored by Buchanan: "I'm saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero and Scotland's greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from. RIP Ken Buchanan. God bless your soul".

Former world champion Barry McGuigan: "So very sorry to hear of the death of the amazing Ken Buchanan. He was an outlier with his unique boxing style and he was a fabulous man. God bless you, Ken."

[Willie Pep 229]

Ken Buchanan, Scotland's first undisputed world champion and arguably the country's greatest boxer, has died at the age of 77.

The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed the Edinburgh native's death on Saturday, a year after his son Mark confirmed that his father had been diagnosed with dementia.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep," read a statement. "RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see."

Having turned professional in 1965, Buchanan memorably won the WBA lightweight world title by dethroning Panama's Ismael Laguna in the scorching heat of Puerto Rico in 1970.

That same year, the Scot was the American Boxing Writers' Association's Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

He defeated Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles in 1971 to take the WBC crown and become Scotland's first undisputed world champion, a feat only matched 50 years later by Josh Taylor.

Buchanan, who topped the bill six times at New York's famous Madison Square Garden arena, won his first 33 professional fights and retired in 1982 with a 61-9 record, including 27 wins by knockout.

He was inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in 2000, and a statue of Buchanan was unveiled in Leith in his home city of Edinburgh last year to honour his storied boxing career.

He had been living in an Edinburgh care home prior to his death, with his son saying the dementia was likely "a result of his sport". 'My hero & Scotland's greatest' - reaction


Fellow Edinburgh boxer and world champion Josh Taylor, who had been mentored by Buchanan: "I'm saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero and Scotland's greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from. RIP Ken Buchanan. God bless your soul".

Former world champion Barry McGuigan: "So very sorry to hear of the death of the amazing Ken Buchanan. He was an outlier with his unique boxing style and he was a fabulous man. God bless you, Ken."

And well he should have been, taking the title from Ismael Laguna ain't no small thing.

[Incapable]

This is sad to hear. He truly was a fantastic fighter, who had the bad experience of meeting a young, hungry Duran.
RIP wee man.

[Ivich]

Ken Buchanan, Scotland's first undisputed world champion and arguably the country's greatest boxer, has died at the age of 77.

The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed the Edinburgh native's death on Saturday, a year after his son Mark confirmed that his father had been diagnosed with dementia.

"It is with great sadness that we inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep," read a statement. "RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see."

Having turned professional in 1965, Buchanan memorably won the WBA lightweight world title by dethroning Panama's Ismael Laguna in the scorching heat of Puerto Rico in 1970.

That same year, the Scot was the American Boxing Writers' Association's Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

He defeated Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles in 1971 to take the WBC crown and become Scotland's first undisputed world champion, a feat only matched 50 years later by Josh Taylor.

Buchanan, who topped the bill six times at New York's famous Madison Square Garden arena, won his first 33 professional fights and retired in 1982 with a 61-9 record, including 27 wins by knockout.

He was inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in 2000, and a statue of Buchanan was unveiled in Leith in his home city of Edinburgh last year to honour his storied boxing career.

He had been living in an Edinburgh care home prior to his death, with his son saying the dementia was likely "a result of his sport". 'My hero & Scotland's greatest' - reaction


Fellow Edinburgh boxer and world champion Josh Taylor, who had been mentored by Buchanan: "I'm saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero and Scotland's greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from. RIP Ken Buchanan. God bless your soul".

Former world champion Barry McGuigan: "So very sorry to hear of the death of the amazing Ken Buchanan. He was an outlier with his unique boxing style and he was a fabulous man. God bless you, Ken."

I only saw him live once,he was in his twilight years boxing for ?000, he lost to a kid who would not have made a decent sparring partner for him when he was prime, but there were fleeting flashes of the brilliance he once had possessed.
RIP Champ.

[QueensburyRules]

And well he should have been, taking the title from Ismael Laguna ain't no small thing.

- - Proper champs...R.I.P...