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Ken Buchanan

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Ken Buchanan
MBE
Buchanan in 1965
Born(1945-06-28)28 June 1945
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died1 April 2023(2023-04-01) (aged 77)
Other namesFighting Carpenter[1]
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights69
Wins61
Wins by KO27
Losses8
Medal record
Boxing
Representing  Scotland
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1965 Berlin Featherweight

Ken Buchanan MBE (28 June 1945 – 1 April 2023) was a Scottish professional boxer who competed between 1965 and 1982. He held multiple championships at lightweight; the World Boxing Association (WBA) and Ring magazine titles from 1970 to 1972; and the World Boxing Council (WBC) title in 1971, briefly reigning as undisputed champion until being stripped of the WBC title four months later. At regional level he held the British title twice in 1968 and 1973, and the European title from 1974 to 1975.

Boxing career

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Early career

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Before turning pro, Buchanan was the 1965 ABA featherweight champion. He started boxing professionally on 20 September 1965, beating Brian Tonks by a knockout in the second round in London. He spent much of the early parts of his career fighting undistinguished opponents in England. His Scottish debut came in his 17th fight, when he outpointed John McMillan over 10 rounds on 23 January 1967. Prior to that, he had also beaten Ivan Whiter by a decision in eight rounds.[2]

Lightweight challenger

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Buchanan extended his winning streak to 23 consecutive bouts before challenging Maurice Cullen on 19 February 1968 for the British lightweight title in London. He knocked Cullen out in the 11th round and became a world classified lightweight challenger.[2][3]

He continued his way up the world lightweight rankings by defeating Leonard Tavarez, Angel Robinson Garcia and Whiter (in a rematch) among others, but on 29 January 1970, he found his first stone on the boxing road when he challenged future WBC junior welterweight champion Miguel Velasquez in Madrid, for the European lightweight title. Buchanan lost a 15-round decision to Velazquez, but nevertheless, he continued his ascent towards the number one spot in the rankings by beating Tavarez in a rematch, Chris Fernandez and Brian Hudson, the latter of whom was beaten by a knockout in five in a defence of the British lightweight title.[4]

World champion

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In September of that year, Buchanan travelled to Puerto Rico, where he would meet Ismael Laguna, the world lightweight champion from Panama, on 26 September 1970. Many experts believed San Juan's warm weather would affect Buchanan, but he upset those who thought that way and beat Laguna by a 15-round decision to become world's lightweight champion.[5]

At that time, the WBA and the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC), were in the middle of a feud, and Buchanan was not allowed to defend the WBA title fight in Great Britain. He finished 1970 beating Donato Paduano by a 10-round decision in a non-title bout on 7 December 1970.[6]

Buchanan defeated Rubén Navarro in Los Angeles on 12 February 1971, defended the WBA championship, and acquired the vacant WBC championship.[7][8][9]

And thus he became the undisputed world lightweight champion.[10][11]

After that, Buchanan was allowed to defend the world championship fight in Great Britain. Buchanan defeated former world junior welterweight champion Carlos Morocho Hernández by knockout in round eight of a non-title bout, in Wembley on 11 May 1971.[12][13]

Stripping of title

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Main article: Ken Buchanan vs. Roberto Durán

He was stripped of the WBC title for failing to defend against Pedro Carrasco on 25 June 1971.[14]

Despite this setback, he remained the WBA world lightweight champion. Then, he flew to New York City to meet Laguna again, this time defending his world title. Buchanan retained the title with another decision over Laguna on 13 September 1971.[15]

His next fights were a couple of non-title affairs, one in London and one in South Africa. The South African fight against Andries Steyn in Johannesburg was a mismatch with his opponent's corner throwing in the towel in the third round on 29 April 1972.[16]

His next defence came on 26 June 1972, against Panama's greatest, the then undefeated Roberto Durán at the Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York, in a bout which had a highly controversial ending. Durán was ahead on all three cards at the end of the 13th round, when both fighters exchanged punches after the bell. Buchanan went down, writhing in pain from a low blow, that Buchanan's trainer, Gil Clancy, said was caused by a knee to the groin. Referee Johnny LoBianco awarded the fight to Durán, insisting that the blow that took down Buchanan was "in the abdomen, not any lower" and that he felt that Buchanan would be unable to continue fighting.[17]

The New York Times columnist Red Smith wrote that LoBianco had to award the victory to Durán, even if the punch was a low blow, as "anything short of pulling a knife is regarded indulgently" in American boxing.[18]

Durán's refusal to honour the contract to face Buchanan

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In his next fight, Buchanan beat former three-time world champion Carlos Ortiz by a knockout in six, also at Madison Square Garden on 20 September 1972.[19]

Buchanan finished 1972 with a win over Chang Kil Lee on 4 December 1972.[20]

On 28 June 1972, Roberto Durán signed to defend it against Buchanan on 20 October 1972. However, Durán broke that agreement when the Panamanian Government insisted he make his first defence in Panama. He did, knocking out Jimmy Robertson on 20 January 1973.[21]

Durán also had signed a second contract with the MSG on 25 October 1972, to defend against Buchanan on or before 30 June 1973.[21]

Once again Durán broke the agreement, and subsequently had his licence suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission on 4 April 1973. The commission also warned Durán that his title recognition would be withdrawn.[21]

The New York State Athletic Commission had been attempting for two years (1972–1974) to get Durán to honour an agreement to fight Buchanan. But Durán refused to honour the contract.[21][22][23][24][25][26]

Later career

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In 1973, Buchanan started out by beating future world lightweight champion Jim Watt by a decision after 15 rounds, to regain the British lightweight title. Soon, he embarked on another international tour that included more fights in the United States, several fights in Denmark, and one fight in Canada. He won each of those fights, leading towards a challenge of European lightweight champion Antonio Puddu in Italy, and Buchanan added the European lightweight championship belt to his shelf by defeating Puddu by a decision in 15 rounds.[2]

He retained the title by beating Tavarez for the third time, this time by a knockout in 14 at Paris, and then he travelled to Japan to fight for the world title again. This time, however, he was defeated by a decision in 15 rounds by the WBC's world champion, Guts Ishimatsu.[2]

Buchanan re-grouped once again, and won in a defence of the European lightweight title against Giancarlo Usai by a knockout in 12. But he retired from 1976 to 1978, leaving the European lightweight title vacant.[2][27]

When he returned to professional boxing in 1978, he won two straight bouts, but everything else started going backwards for him. Challenging Charlie Nash in Copenhagen, he lost by a decision in twelve. In 1980, he won two bouts in a row, but after that, he lost five bouts in a row, finally retiring for good after losing to George Feeney by a decision in eight on 25 January 1982. In 2000, he was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[2][28][29] In 2002 he was inducted into the Scottish Sport Hall of Fame.[30]

Death

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Buchanan died on 1 April 2023, at the age of 77. He had been suffering from dementia.[31][32][33][34]

Professional boxing record

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69 fights 61 wins 8 losses
By knockout 27 1
By decision 34 7
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
69 Loss 61–8 George Feeney PTS 8 25 January 1982 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
68 Loss 61–7 Lance Williams PTS 8 24 November 1981 Wembley Arena, Wembley
67 Loss 61–6 Langton Tinago PTS 10 4 April 1981 National Sports Centre, Harare (Salisbury)
66 Loss 61–5 Steve Early PTS 12 26 January 1981 Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, Birmingham
65 Win 61–4 Des Gwilliam PTS 8 20 October 1980 Bingley Hall, Birmingham
64 Win 60–4 Najib Daho KO 7 (10) 5 May 1980 World Sporting Club, Mayfair
63 Loss 59–4 Charlie Nash UD 12 6 December 1979 Brondby Hallen, Brondby For European lightweight title
62 Win 59–3 Eloi De Souza PTS 8 6 September 1979 Randers Hallen, Randers
61 Win 58–3 Benny Benitez PTS 8 28 June 1979 Randers Hallen, Randers
60 Win 57–3 Giancarlo Usai TKO 12 (15) 25 July 1975 Cagliari Football Stadium, Cagliari Retained European lightweight title
59 Loss 56–3 Guts Ishimatsu UD 15 27 February 1975 Metropolitan Gym For WBC lightweight title
58 Win 56–2 Leonard Tavarez TKO 14 (15) 16 December 1974 Parc des Expositions, Paris Retained European lightweight title
57 Win 55–2 Winston Noel TKO 2 (10) 21 November 1974 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
56 Win 54–2 Antonio Puddu TKO 6 (15) 1 May 1974 Cagliari Won European lightweight title
55 Win 53–2 Joe Tetteh KO 3 (10) 4 April 1974 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
54 Win 52–2 Jose Peterson PTS 10 7 February 1974 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
53 Win 51–2 Miguel Araujo KO 1 (10) 6 December 1973 K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
52 Win 50–2 Frankie Otero TKO 6 (10) 11 October 1973 Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto
51 Win 49–2 Edwin Malave TKO 7 (10) 1 September 1973 Felt Forum, New York
50 Win 48–2 Frankie Otero UD 10 29 May 1973 Convention Center, Miami Beach
49 Win 47–2 Hector Matta PTS 10 27 March 1973 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
48 Win 46–2 Jim Watt PTS 15 29 January 1973 Albany Hotel, Glasgow Won British lightweight title
47 Win 45–2 Chang-Kil Lee TKO 2 (10) 4 December 1972 Madison Square Garden, New York
46 Win 44–2 Carlos Ortiz RTD 6 (10) 20 September 1972 Madison Square Garden, New York
45 Loss 43–2 Roberto Durán TKO 13 (15) 26 June 1972 Madison Square Garden, New York Lost WBA and The Ring lightweight titles
44 Win 43–1 Andries Steyn RTD 3 (10) 29 April 1972 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg
43 Win 42–1 Al Ford PTS 10 28 March 1972 Empire Pool, Wembley
42 Win 41–1 Ismael Laguna UD 15 13 September 1971 Madison Square Garden, New York Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles
41 Win 40–1 Carlos Morocho Hernández TKO 8 (10) 11 May 1971 Empire Pool, Wembley
40 Win 39–1 Ruben Navarro UD 15 12 February 1971 Sports Arena, Los Angeles Retained WBA and The Ring lightweight titles;
Won vacant WBC lightweight titles
39 Win 38–1 Donato Paduano UD 10 7 December 1970 Madison Square Garden, New York
38 Win 37–1 Ismael Laguna SD 15 26 September 1970 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan Won WBA and The Ring lightweight titles;
Won vacant NYSAC lightweight title
37 Win 36–1 Brian Hudson PTS 10 12 May 1970 Empire Pool, Wembley Retained British lightweight title
36 Win 35–1 Chris Fernandez PTS 10 6 April 1970 Ice Rink, Nottingham
35 Win 34–1 Leonard Tavarez PTS 10 23 February 1970 Cafe Royal, Piccadilly
34 Loss 33–1 Miguel Velasquez PTS 15 29 January 1970 Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid For vacant European lightweight title
33 Win 33–0 Vincenzo Pitardi TKO 2 (10) 11 November 1969 Grosvenor House, Mayfair
32 Win 32–0 Jerry Graci TKO 1 (10) 14 July 1969 Ice Rink, Nottingham
31 Win 31–0 Jose Luis Tocida PTS 10 5 March 1969 Midlands Sporting Club, Solihull
30 Win 30–0 Mike Cruz TKO 4 (10) 17 February 1969 World Sporting Club, Mayfair
29 Win 29–0 Frankie Narvaez PTS 10 2 January 1969 National Sporting Club, Cafe Royal, Piccadilly
28 Win 28–0 Ameur Lamine TKO 3 (10) 11 December 1968 Town Hall, Hamilton
27 Win 27–0 Angel Robinson Garcia PTS 10 23 October 1968 Grosvenor House, Mayfair
26 Win 26–0 Ivan Whiter PTS 8 10 June 1968 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
25 Win 25–0 Leonard Tavarez PTS 8 22 April 1968 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
24 Win 24–0 Maurice Cullen KO 11 (15) 19 February 1968 Hilton Hotel, Mayfair Won British lightweight title
23 Win 23–0 Jim McCormack PTS 12 30 October 1967 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
22 Win 22–0 Al Rocca TKO 7 (8) 14 September 1967 Grosvenor House, Mayfair
21 Win 21–0 Rene Roque PTS 8 26 July 1967 Afan Lido Sports Centre, Aberavon
20 Win 20–0 Winston Laud PTS 8 28 June 1967 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
19 Win 19–0 Franco Brondi TKO 3 (10) 11 May 1967 Ice Rink, Paisley
18 Win 18–0 Tommy Garrison PTS 10 14 February 1967 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
17 Win 17–0 John McMillan PTS 10 23 January 1967 Central Hotel, Glasgow
16 Win 16–0 Phil Lundgren PTS 10 19 December 1966 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
15 Win 15–0 Al Keen PTS 8 17 October 1966 Town Hall, Leeds
14 Win 14–0 Antonio Paiva PTS 10 17 October 1966 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
13 Win 13–0 Mickey Laud PTS 8 8 September 1966 Empire Pool, Wembley
12 Win 12–0 Ivan Whiter PTS 8 8 August 1966 Earls Court Arena, Kensington
11 Win 11–0 Brian Smyth TKO 1 (8) 12 July 1966 Afan Lido Sports Centre, Aberavon
10 Win 10–0 Junior Cassidy PTS 8 11 May 1966 Wyvern Sporting Club (Midland Hotel), Manchester
9 Win 9–0 Chris Elliott PTS 8 19 April 1966 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
8 Win 8–0 Tommy Tiger PTS 8 4 April 1966 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
7 Win 7–0 Manley Brown TKO 4 (8) 7 March 1966 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
6 Win 6–0 Tommy Tiger PTS 8 24 January 1966 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
5 Win 5–0 Junior Cassidy PTS 8 13 December 1965 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
4 Win 4–0 Joe Okezie TKO 3 (8) 22 November 1965 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
3 Win 3–0 Billy Williams TKO 3 (6) 1 November 1965 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
2 Win 2–0 Vic Woodhall TKO 2 (6) 18 October 1965 Wyvern Sporting Club (Midland Hotel), Manchester
1 Win 1–0 Brian Rocky Tonks TKO 2 (6) 20 September 1965 National Sporting Club, Piccadilly

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fighting Carpenter From Scotland". Sports Illustrated. 8 February 1971. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Ken Buchanan – A Look Back At A True Great". Ring News 24. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2010.
  3. ^ Cairns, Gordon (16 October 2014). "Ken Buchanan wins world lightweight title 1970". BBC. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  4. ^ Odd, Gilbert E. (1989). The Encyclopedia of Boxing. London: Crescent Books. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-55521-395-4.
  5. ^ "Buchanan Rallies to Outpoint Laguna for Lightweight Title in Puerto Rico". The New York Times, 27 September 1970.
  6. ^ "Buchanan's Speed Defeats Paduano". The New York Times, 8 December 1970.
  7. ^ "W.B.C. say Fight is for title", Evening Times (Glasgow), 11 February 1971.
  8. ^ "WBC approve Buchanan bout", The Glasgow Herald, 12 February 1971.
  9. ^ World Boxing Council Ratings (March 1971)
    (in Spanish) "Clasificaciones de Marzo Según el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo", UPI, El Informador (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico), 11 March 1971.
    WBC Ratings on March 1971
    Lightweight (Spanish: Livianos)

    Champion: Ken Buchanan (Great Britain)
    1. Pedro Carrasco (Spain)
    2. Mando Ramos (United States)
    3. Miguel Velasquez (Spain)
    4. René Barrientos (Philippines)
    5. Rubén Navarro (United States)
    6. Gerard Ferrat (Mexico)
    7. Carlos Hernandez (Venezuela)
    8. Erubey "Chango" Carmona (Mexico)
    9. Shinichi Kadota (Japan)
    10. Al Ford (Canada)

  10. ^ Gutteridge, Reg. "King Ken, World Champion after a shock knock-down", Evening Times (Glasgow), 13 February 1971.
  11. ^ "World Champion home to-night", The Glasgow Herald, 15 February 1971.
  12. ^ "Classic show by Buchanan", The Glasgow Herald, 12 May 1971.
  13. ^ "Great Buchanan has the fans cheering", Evening Times (Glasgow), 12 May 1971.
  14. ^ "Buchanan's (WBC) title withdrawn", The Glasgow Herald, 26 June 1971.
  15. ^ "Buchanan Retains Title By Outpointing Laguna", The New York Times, 14 September 1971.
  16. ^ "Ken to settle in S Africa?", Evening Times (Glasgow), 1 May 1972.
  17. ^ Goldstein, Richard. "Johnny LoBianco, 85, Referee In Controversial Duran Bout", The New York Times, 21 July 2001. Accessed 1 October 2009.
  18. ^ Smith, Red. "And New Champion", The New York Times, 28 June 1972; accessed 1 October 2009.
  19. ^ "Oritz Retires After Buchanan Stops Him in 6 Rounds", The New York Times, 21 September 1972.
  20. ^ "Buchanan and Seeley Give 2 Koreans Ring Lessons", The New York Times, 5 December 1972.
  21. ^ a b c d "People in Sports: Duran Barred", The New York Times, 5 April 1973.
  22. ^ Smith, Red. "Red Smith", The New York Times, 27 April 1973.
  23. ^ "People in Sports: Beliveau Turns Down W.H.A.’ s Million", The New York Times, 11 July 1973.
  24. ^ "Dooley Says Duran Bout May Be Off", The New York Times, 13 August 1974.
  25. ^ "Ultimatum Endangers Duran Bout", The New York Times, 14 August 1974.
  26. ^ "Verbal Jabs End Duran Bout", The New York Times, 15 August 1974.
  27. ^ "Ken Buchanan, the 38-year-old former world lightweight champion, knocked..." UPI Archives. 9 March 1983. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  28. ^ "PLUS: BOXING -- HALL OF FAME; Ken Buchanan Among 4 Inductees". The New York Times. 14 January 2000. Retrieved 13 February 2003.
  29. ^ Rawling, John (6 June 2000). "Battle honours for braveheart Buchanan". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2003.
  30. ^ "The names in the Hall of Fame". BBC News. 30 November 2002.
  31. ^ Campsie, Alison (1 April 2023). "Scottish boxing legend and 'gentleman' Ken Buchanan dies at 77". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023.
  32. ^ McCafferty, Gavin (1 April 2023). "Ken Buchanan – a true boxing great who had battles in and out of the ring". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023.
  33. ^ "Ken Buchanan: Scotland's first undisputed boxing world champion dies at 77". BBC Sport. 1 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023.
  34. ^ "Ken Buchanan, former world lightweight boxing champion, dies aged 77". The Guardian. 1 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by British lightweight champion
19 February 1968 – 1971
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Willie Reilly
Preceded by British lightweight champion
29 January 1973 – 1973
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Jim Watt
Preceded by
Antonio Puddu
 European lightweight champion
1 May 1974 – 1976
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Fernand Roelands
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA lightweight champion
26 September 1970 – 26 June 1972 		Succeeded by
The Ring lightweight champion
26 September 1970 – 26 June 1972
Vacant
Title last held by
Ismael Laguna 		WBC lightweight champion
12 February 1971 – 25 June 1971
Stripped 		Vacant
Title next held by
Pedro Carrasco
Undisputed lightweight champion
12 February 1971 – 25 June 1971
Titles fragmented 		Vacant
Title next held by
Roberto Durán
Records
Previous:
Terry Downes 		Oldest Living British World Champion
6 October 2017 – 1 April 2023 		Next:
Jim Watt
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