EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Scottish boxing great Ken Buchanan, who became the undisputed world lightweight champion in 1971 and won his first 33 fights, has died at the age of 77.
His death was announced Saturday in a Facebook post from the Ken Buchanan Foundation, which read: “It’s with great sadness that we have to inform you that Ken Buchanan passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning.
“Further announcements will come and please give the family some time to process this sad news. RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see.”
Buchanan’s son revealed last year that the former boxer was suffering from dementia and living in a nursing home.
Buchanan finished his career with a 61-8 win-loss record.
The boxer won the WBA lightweight title in 1970 by defeating Ismael Laguna in a famous fight in Puerto Rico and added the WBC crown the following year with victory over Ruben Navarro.
He was stripped of the WBC title for failing to defend it against Pedro Carrasco and then lost the WBA belt when he controversially suffered just a second defeat against the great Roberto Duran.
Buchanan fought for the final time in 1982. A statue of him in his home city of Edinburgh was unveiled last year.
“Sad to hear Scotland’s first undisputed champion of the world Ken Buchanan has died," Humza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, tweeted. “He inspired and mentored a generation of boxing talent here in Scotland and beyond. Rest in peace Champ.”
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The Associated Press
