Scottish boxing legend Ken Buchanan dies aged 77

Scottish boxing legend Ken Buchanan has died at the age of 77.

The former undisputed world champion ‘passed peacefully in his sleep’ having been diagnosed with dementia last year.

The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed his death on Saturday afternoon, a year after his son Mark confirmed his father had been diagnosed.

Edinburgh fighter Buchanan fought 69 times as a professional, becoming world champion in 1970 after travelling to Puerto Rico to dethrone Ismael Launga for the WBA lightweight title.

A year later, he added the WBC belt to his collection after beating Ruben Navarro in New York to become Scotland’s first undisputed world champion.

His achievement was not matched for another 50 years when Josh Taylor was crowned undisputed champion of the super-lightweight division in 2021.

Buchanan retired with a record of 61 wins and eight losses, also sharing the ring with the legendary Roberto Duran in 1972.

Taylor, 32, was among the first to pay tribute to Buchanan, writing on Twitter: ‘I’m saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero and Scotland’s greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from.

‘RIP Ken Buchanan.’

Barry McGuigan, one of Ireland’s greatest ever fighting also wrote: ‘So very sorry to hear of the death of the amazing Ken Buchanan RIP’.

Ken travelled to MSG to beat the great Ismael Laguna for the WBA Lightweight Title way back in 1971. He was an outlier with his unique boxing style and he was a fabulous man, God Bless you Ken.’

Respected boxing journalist Steve Bunce wrote: ‘Ken Buchanan was a great fighter and a great human.

‘It was a privilege to know him. Loved and adored. The King of the Garden. Gone forever.’

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