Ken Buchanan, Scotland’s first undisputed world champion and arguably the nation’s biggest ever boxer, has died aged 77.
The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed the Edinburgh native’s demise on Saturday, along with his son Mark saying his father had been identified with dementia.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Ken passed away in his sleep,” it mentioned in a press release. “RIP Kane, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see.”
After turning skilled in 1965, Buchanan gained the WBA light-weight world title in 1970 by defeating Panama’s Ismael Laguna within the scorching warmth of Puerto Rico.
That similar 12 months, Scott was the American Boxing Writers Association’s Fighter of the Year, forward of Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
He captured the WBC crown in 1971 by defeating Rubén Navarro in Los Angeles and have become Scotland’s first undisputed world champion, a feat achieved solely 50 years later by Josh Taylor.
Buchanan, who topped Bill six occasions at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden Arena, gained his first 33 skilled bouts and retired in 1982 with a 61-9 report, together with 27 wins by knockout.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000, and a statue of Buchanan was unveiled final 12 months in his dwelling city of Leith in Edinburgh to honor his illustrious boxing profession.
He was residing in an Edinburgh care dwelling earlier than his demise, along with his son saying the dementia was “a result of his sport”.
‘My Hero and Scotland’s Greatest’ – Reaction
Fellow Edinburgh boxer and world champion Josh Taylor: “It’s a very, very sad day. My very first coach was one of his sons, Raymond. My thoughts are with him and Kane’s entire family – they are losing a true Scottish legend.
“Whatever he did, and the best way he did it, away from dwelling. There won’t ever be one other man like him, so it is a unhappy day, and I hope the nation can bid farewell to the person he really deserves.”
“I simply beloved listening to his tales, the best way he educated and lived his life. I beloved getting slightly recommendation from him, and he was my actual hero.
“I’m very proud and honored to have been given the identical title as him, to comply with in his footsteps. He is a large inspiration to me, and can at all times be remembered as Scotland’s biggest.,
Former World Champion Barry McGuigan: “So sad to hear about the death of the wonderful Ken Buchanan. He was a different man with his own unique boxing style and he was a wonderful person. God bless you, Ken.”
Steve Bunce of BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing: “Ken Buchanan was a great fighter and a great man. It was a privilege to know him. Loved and respected. King of the Garden. Gone forever.”
With inputs from BBC
