According to his charity organization, former lightweight champion and Scotland’s first undisputed boxing world champion Ken Buchanan died away on Saturday at the age of 77.
Buchanan, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, fought Ismael Laguna of Panama in Puerto Rico for the WBA championship in 1970. The following year, he defeated Ruben Navarro of Los Angeles, California, for the vacant WBC championship.
In a controversial match in New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1972, he lost the WBA title to Panama’s Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran due to an alleged low blow to the groin at the end of the thirteenth round.
The referee awarded Duran the win on points as he was so far ahead when Buchanan did not appear for the 14th round. There was no further fight.
The Scot was diagnosed with dementia last year; in 1970, he was named Fighter of the Year, beating big heavyweights Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
The Ken Buchanan Foundation released a statement stating, “We regret to inform you that Ken Buchanan passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning.”
