Ken Buchanan

MK Shrimper · May 19, 2009

Before my time, but apparantly the best boxer to come out of Scotland is preparing to get back into the ring in unlicenced fights at the age of 63 due to chronic poverty. Two failed marriages and a collapsed business venture have left him destitute.

A fight against a younger, fitter man will probably kill him.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/boxing/article6312003.ece

Dave Smiths Love Child · May 19, 2009

Very sad, but then even sadder those they pay to watch him again, boxing is fast becoming a freak show, when the likes of Foreman, Tyson all come out for one last shot, full credit to Lennox Lewis retired whilst at the top

Thorpe Groyney · May 20, 2009

I think someone is making something out of nothing here.

What Ken has said, which was on the radio yesterday afternoon, is that he still goes down the gym to keep in shape, but that he is down on his luck, so if he was offered a lot of money to do a 3 round exhibition at 'white collar' sportsman evening he would have to consider doing it as a one-off. None of what has been printed in the media, he insists, came from him but a disingenuous agent (quelle surprise).

Reading between the lines, what he's saying is 'someone please arrange me a benefit evening' without being forced to beg for one in public.

Have to say, pound-for-pound, he was the best British fighter I've ever seen. Incredibly, due to a dispute between the WBC and BBBC, Ken was barred from fighting for world titles in the UK. He therefore had to go into the champion's back yard in Puerto Rico (can't remember his name) and won the world lightweight title on points, in the days when you had to knock the guy out to get a draw.

He was also involved in a classic confrontation with Roberto Duran. Duran resorted to consistenly punching Buchanan way after the bell had gone to get a late stoppage. Duran absolutely refused to give him a re-match afterwards, which many Panamanians still think was worse behaviour than his 'No mas' humiliation against Leonard. Unlike here in Britain, Ken Buchanan is still remembered and even revered in Central America.

He was that good, that tough. For the sake of sporting heritage I hope he gets the benefit night and recognition he richly deserves.

Firestorm · May 21, 2009

Southchurch Groyney said:
I think someone is making something out of nothing here.

What Ken has said, which was on the radio yesterday afternoon, is that he still goes down the gym to keep in shape, but that he is down on his luck, so if he was offered a lot of money to do a 3 round exhibition at 'white collar' sportsman evening he would have to consider doing it as a one-off. None of what has been printed in the media, he insists, came from him but a disingenuous agent (quelle surprise).

Reading between the lines, what he's saying is 'someone please arrange me a benefit evening' without being forced to beg for one in public.

Have to say, pound-for-pound, he was the best British fighter I've ever seen. Incredibly, due to a dispute between the WBC and BBBC, Ken was barred from fighting for world titles in the UK. He therefore had to go into the champion's back yard in Puerto Rico (can't remember his name) and won the world lightweight title on points, in the days when you had to knock the guy out to get a draw.

He was also involved in a classic confrontation with Roberto Duran. Duran resorted to consistenly punching Buchanan way after the bell had gone to get a late stoppage. Duran absolutely refused to give him a re-match afterwards, which many Panamanians still think was worse behaviour than his 'No mas' humiliation against Leonard. Unlike here in Britain, Ken Buchanan is still remembered and even revered in Central America.

He was that good, that tough. For the sake of sporting heritage I hope he gets the benefit night and recognition he richly deserves.