Joe Bugner, the previous British heavyweight boxing champion, who challenged Muhammad Ali for the world title, has died aged 75.
Bugner, who additionally held the European and Commonwealth heavyweight crowns, died at a care residence in Brisbane, Australia, the British Boxing Board of Management (BBBC) mentioned.
Saying his loss of life “with great sadness”, the board mentioned it “passes on its condolences to Joe’s family”.
Picture:
Bugner preventing Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas in 1973. Pic: AP
Picture:
Bugner in his 1987 bout in opposition to Frank Bruno. Pic: Motion Photographs/Reuters
Over a 32-year profession starting in 1967, the fighter received 69 of his 83 contests – 41 inside the gap – with 13 defeats and one draw.
He fought Ali twice, dropping on factors each occasions, together with when difficult the American legend for the world heavyweight title in Kuala Lumpur in 1975.
He was born in Hungary in 1950 earlier than his household moved to the UK, after fleeing amid the 1956 Soviet invasion.
Bugner pressured Henry Cooper into retirement after a controversial factors win in 1971, capturing the British, Commonwealth and European crowns within the course of.
It was one in all two British title wins, whereas he was additionally a three-time European champion.
His victory over Cooper by 1 / 4 of a degree at a time when fights had been counted in fractions, meant he struggled for acceptance in his adopted nation.
Picture:
Bugner preventing Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas in 1973. Pic: AP
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He misplaced to Joe Frazier, one other legend of the ring, on factors, having taken him the gap in 1973, earlier than a 1987 stoppage defeat to Frank Bruno led to his retirement from the ring.
Eight years later, cash troubles pressured him right into a comeback, taking the Australian title in addition to the lightly-regarded WBF (World Boxing Federation) belt, aged 48.
He retired at 49 after beating US fighter Levi Billups on Australia’s Gold Coast in 1999.
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Bugner was affectionately referred to as ‘Aussie Joe’ in the previous couple of years as a boxer, having been warmly acquired in Australia in a way he had been unaccustomed to throughout his profession in Britain.
Bruno mentioned in a put up on X it was “a sad day for boxing”, calling Bugner a “character” who “played Mr bad guy” earlier than their struggle.
Promoter Frank Warren wrote on X that Bugner was “a great man who will be missed”.
After giving up the game, Bugner was concerned inside the movie trade and appeared on I am A Celeb…Get Me Out Of Right here! in 2009.
