Ken Buchanan
Ken Buchanan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ken Buchanan 28 June 1945 |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Lightweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 69 |
| Wins | 61 |
| Wins by KO | 27 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Ken Buchanan MBE (born 28 June 1945) is a Scottish retired professional boxer from Edinburgh and the former undisputed world lightweight champion.[2][3]
Boxing career
Early career
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 8 rounds.[4]
Lightweight challenger
Buchanan ran 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.[4][5]
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.[6]
World Champion
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.[7]
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 only 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.[8]
Buchanan defeated Rubén Navarro in Los Angeles on 12 February 1971, defended the WBA championship, and acquired the vacant WBC championship.[9][10][11]
And, he became the undisputed world lightweight champion.[2][3]
After that, Buchanan was allowed to the world championship fight in Great Britain. Buchanan defeated former world junior welterweight champion Carlos Morocho Hernández by knockout in round eight, in Wembley on 11 May 1971.[12][13]
Stripping of title
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 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 refused to honor the contract to face Buchanan
In his next fight, Buchanan beat former 3 time world champion Carlos Ortiz by a knockout in six, also at the MSG 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 defense 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 license 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 honor an agreement to fight Buchanan. But Durán refused to honor the contract to face Buchanan.[21][22][23][24][25][26]
Later career
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.[4]
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.[4]
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.[4][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.[4][28][29]
Professional boxing record
| 69 fights | 61 wins | 8 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 27 | 1 |
| By decision | 34 | 7 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | Loss | 61–8 |  George Feeney
|
PTS | 8 | Jan 25, 1982 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 68 | Loss | 61–7 | Lance Williams
|
PTS | 8 | Nov 24, 1981 | Wembley Arena, Wembley
|
|
| 67 | Loss | 61–6 |  Langton Tinago
|
PTS | 10 | Apr 04, 1981 | National Sports Centre, Harare (Salisbury)
|
|
| 66 | Loss | 61–5 | Steve Early
|
PTS | 12 | Jan 26, 1981 | Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, Birmingham
|
|
| 65 | Win | 61–4 | Des Gwilliam
|
PTS | 8 | Oct 20, 1980 | Bingley Hall, Birmingham
|
|
| 64 | Win | 60–4 |  Najib Daho
|
KO | 7 (10) | May 05, 1980 | World Sporting Club, Mayfair
|
|
| 63 | Loss | 59–4 | Charlie Nash
|
UD | 12 | Dec 06, 1979 |  Brondby Hallen, Brondby
|
For European lightweight title |
| 62 | Win | 59–3 |  Eloi De Souza
|
PTS | 8 | Sep 06, 1979 | Randers Hallen, Randers
|
|
| 61 | Win | 58–3 |  Benny Benitez
|
PTS | 8 | Jun 28, 1979 | Randers Hallen, Randers
|
|
| 60 | Win | 57–3 |  Giancarlo Usai
|
TKO | 12 (15) | Jul 25, 1975 | Cagliari Football Stadium, Cagliari
|
Retained European lightweight title |
| 59 | Loss | 56–3 |  Guts Ishimatsu
|
UD | 15 | Feb 27, 1975 | Metropolitan Gym
|
For WBC lightweight title |
| 58 | Win | 56–2 |  Leonard Tavarez
|
TKO | 14 (15) | Dec 16, 1974 |  Parc des Expositions, Paris
|
Retained European lightweight title |
| 57 | Win | 55–2 | Winston Noel
|
TKO | 2 (10) | Nov 21, 1974 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
|
|
| 56 | Win | 54–2 | Antonio Puddu
|
TKO | 6 (15) | May 01, 1974 | Cagliari
|
Won European lightweight title |
| 55 | Win | 53–2 |  Joe Tetteh
|
KO | 3 (10) | Apr 04, 1974 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
|
|
| 54 | Win | 52–2 |  Jose Peterson
|
PTS | 10 | Feb 07, 1974 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
|
|
| 53 | Win | 51–2 | Miguel Araujo
|
KO | 1 (10) | Dec 06, 1973 | K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen
|
|
| 52 | Win | 50–2 |  Frankie Otero
|
TKO | 6 (10) | Oct 11, 1973 |  Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto
|
|
| 51 | Win | 49–2 | Edwin Malave
|
TKO | 7 (10) | Sep 01, 1973 | Felt Forum, New York
|
|
| 50 | Win | 48–2 | Frankie Otero
|
UD | 10 | May 29, 1973 | Convention Center, Miami Beach
|
|
| 49 | Win | 47–2 | Hector Matta
|
PTS | 10 | Mar 27, 1973 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
|
|
| 48 | Win | 46–2 | Jim Watt
|
PTS | 15 | Jan 29, 1973 | Albany Hotel, Glasgow
|
Won British lightweight title |
| 47 | Win | 45–2 |  Chang-Kil Lee
|
TKO | 2 (10) | Dec 04, 1972 | Madison Square Garden, New York
|
|
| 46 | Win | 44–2 | Carlos Ortiz
|
RTD | 6 (10) | Sep 20, 1972 | Madison Square Garden, New York
|
|
| 45 | Loss | 43–2 |  Roberto Durán
|
TKO | 13 (15) | Jun 26, 1972 | Madison Square Garden, New York
|
Lost WBA, The Ring, and lineal lightweight titles |
| 44 | Win | 43–1 |  Andries Steyn
|
RTD | 3 (10) | Apr 29, 1972 | Rand Stadium, Johannesburg
|
|
| 43 | Win | 42–1 | Al Ford
|
PTS | 10 | Mar 28, 1972 | Empire Pool, Wembley
|
|
| 42 | Win | 41–1 | Ismael Laguna
|
UD | 15 | Sep 13, 1971 | Madison Square Garden, New York
|
Retained WBA, The Ring, and lineal lightweight titles |
| 41 | Win | 40–1 |  Carlos Morocho Hernández
|
TKO | 8 (10) | May 11, 1971 | Empire Pool, Wembley
|
|
| 40 | Win | 39–1 | Ruben Navarro
|
UD | 15 | Feb 12, 1971 | Sports Arena, Los Angeles
|
Retained WBA, The Ring, and lineal lightweight titles Won vacant WBC lightweight titles |
| 39 | Win | 38–1 | Donato Paduano
|
UD | 10 | Dec 07, 1970 | Madison Square Garden, New York
|
|
| 38 | Win | 37–1 | Ismael Laguna
|
SD | 15 | Sep 26, 1970 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan
|
Won WBA, The Ring, and lineal lightweight titles Won vacant NYSAC lightweight title |
| 37 | Win | 36–1 | Brian Hudson
|
PTS | 10 | May 12, 1970 | Empire Pool, Wembley
|
Retained British lightweight title |
| 36 | Win | 35–1 |  Chris Fernandez
|
PTS | 10 | Apr 06, 1970 | Ice Rink, Nottingham
|
|
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Leonard Tavarez
|
PTS | 10 | Feb 23, 1970 | Cafe Royal, Piccadilly
|
|
| 34 | Loss | 33–1 |  Miguel Velasquez
|
PTS | 15 | Jan 29, 1970 | Palacio de los Deportes, Madrid
|
For vacant European Union lightweight title |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Vincenzo Pitardi
|
TKO | 2 (10) | Nov 11, 1969 | Grosvenor House, Mayfair
|
|
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Jerry Graci
|
TKO | 1 (10) | Jul 14, 1969 | Ice Rink, Nottingham
|
|
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Jose Luis Tocida
|
PTS | 10 | Mar 05, 1969 | Midlands Sporting Club, Solihull
|
|
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Mike Cruz
|
TKO | 4 (10) | Feb 17, 1969 | World Sporting Club, Mayfair
|
|
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Frankie Narvaez
|
PTS | 10 | Jan 02, 1969 | National Sporting Club, Cafe Royal, Piccadilly
|
|
| 28 | Win | 28–0 |  Ameur Lamine
|
TKO | 3 (10) | Dec 11, 1968 | Town Hall, Hamilton
|
|
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Angel Robinson Garcia
|
PTS | 10 | Oct 23, 1968 | Grosvenor House, Mayfair
|
|
| 26 | Win | 26–0 |  Ivan Whiter
|
PTS | 8 | Jun 10, 1968 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Leonard Tavarez
|
PTS | 8 | Apr 22, 1968 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Maurice Cullen
|
KO | 11 (15) | Feb 19, 1968 | Hilton Hotel, Mayfair
|
Won British lightweight title |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Jim McCormack
|
PTS | 12 | Oct 30, 1967 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Al Rocca
|
TKO | 7 (8) | Sep 14, 1967 | Grosvenor House, Mayfair
|
|
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Rene Roque
|
PTS | 8 | Jul 26, 1967 | Afan Lido Sports Centre, Aberavon
|
|
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Winston Laud
|
PTS | 8 | Jun 28, 1967 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Franco Brondi
|
TKO | 3 (10) | May 11, 1967 | Ice Rink, Paisley
|
|
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Tommy Garrison
|
PTS | 10 | Feb 14, 1967 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington
|
|
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | John McMillan
|
PTS | 10 | Jan 23, 1967 | Central Hotel, Glasgow
|
|
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Phil Lundgren
|
PTS | 10 | Dec 19, 1966 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Al Keen
|
PTS | 8 | Oct 17, 1966 | Town Hall, Leeds
|
|
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Antonio Paiva
|
PTS | 10 | Oct 17, 1966 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Mickey Laud
|
PTS | 8 | Sep 08, 1966 | Empire Pool, Wembley
|
|
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Ivan Whiter
|
PTS | 8 | Aug 08, 1966 | Earls Court Arena, Kensington
|
|
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Brian Smyth
|
TKO | 1 (8) | Jul 12, 1966 | Afan Lido Sports Centre, Aberavon
|
|
| 10 | Win | 10–0 |  Junior Cassidy
|
PTS | 8 | May 11, 1966 | Wyvern Sporting Club (Midland Hotel), Manchester
|
|
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Chris Elliott
|
PTS | 8 | Apr 19, 1966 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Tommy Tiger
|
PTS | 8 | Apr 04, 1966 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 7 | Win | 7–0 |  Manley Brown
|
TKO | 4 (8) | Mar 07, 1966 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Tommy Tiger
|
PTS | 8 | Jan 24, 1966 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Junior Cassidy
|
PTS | 8 | Dec 13, 1965 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Joe Okezie
|
TKO | 3 (8) | Nov 22, 1965 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Billy Williams
|
TKO | 3 (6) | Nov 01, 1965 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
|
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Vic Woodhall
|
TKO | 2 (6) | Oct 18, 1965 | Wyvern Sporting Club (Midland Hotel), Manchester
|
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Brian Rocky Tonks
|
TKO | 2 (6) | Sep 20, 1965 | National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
|
See also
- Lineal championship
- List of WBA world champions
- List of WBC world champions
- List of lightweight boxing champions
- List of The Ring world champions
- List of undisputed boxing champions
Support for a Statue https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/legendary-scots-boxer-ken-buchanan-to-be-honoured-with-statue-in-edinburgh
References
- ^ "Fighting Carpenter From Scotland". Sports Illustrated. 8 February 1971. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
This convoluted mentality does different things to different people. To Ken Buchanan, a 25-year-old carpenter from Edinburgh, it has brought the lightweight championship of the world and an overnight reputation among American boxing followers as one of the most impressive European fighters ever to cross the Atlantic.
- ^ a b Gutteridge, Reg. "King Ken, World Champion after a shock knock-down", Evening Times (Glasgow), 13 February 1971.
- ^ a b "World Champion home to-night", The Glasgow Herald, 15 February 1971.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Cairns, Gordon (16 October 2014). "Ken Buchanan wins world lightweight title 1970". BBC. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- ^ Odd, Gilbert E. (1989). The Encyclopedia of Boxing. London: Crescent Books. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-55521-395-4.
- ^ "Buchanan Rallies to Outpoint Laguna for Lightweight Title in Puerto Rico". The New York Times, 27 September 1970.
- ^ "Buchanan's Speed Defeats Paduano". The New York Times, 8 December 1970.
- ^ "W.B.C. say Fight is for title", Evening Times (Glasgow), 11 February 1971.
- ^ "WBC approve Buchanan bout", The Glasgow Herald, 12 February 1971.
- ^ 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) - ^ "Classic show by Buchanan", The Glasgow Herald, 12 May 1971.
- ^ "Great Buchanan has the fans cheering", Evening Times (Glasgow), 12 May 1971.
- ^ "Buchanan's (WBC) title withdrawn", The Glasgow Herald, 26 June 1971.
- ^ "Buchanan Retains Title By Outpointing Laguna", The New York Times, 14 September 1971.
- ^ "Ken to settle in S Africa?", Evening Times (Glasgow), 1 May 1972.
- ^ Goldstein, Richard. "Johnny LoBianco, 85, Referee In Controversial Duran Bout", The New York Times, 21 July 2001. Accessed 1 October 2009.
- ^ Smith, Red. "And New Champion", The New York Times, 28 June 1972; accessed 1 October 2009.
- ^ "Oritz Retires After Buchanan Stops Him in 6 Rounds", The New York Times, 21 September 1972.
- ^ "Buchanan and Seeley Give 2 Koreans Ring Lessons", The New York Times, 5 December 1972.
- ^ a b c d "People in Sports: Duran Barred", The New York Times, 5 April 1973.
- ^ Smith, Red. "Red Smith", The New York Times, 27 April 1973.
- ^ "People in Sports: Beliveau Turns Down W.H.A.’ s Million", The New York Times, 11 July 1973.
- ^ "Dooley Says Duran Bout May Be Off", The New York Times, 13 August 1974.
- ^ "Ultimatum Endangers Duran Bout", The New York Times, 14 August 1974.
- ^ "Verbal Jabs End Duran Bout", The New York Times, 15 August 1974.
- ^ "Ken Buchanan, the 38-year-old former world lightweight champion, knocked..." UPI Archives. 9 March 1983. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
- ^ "PLUS: BOXING -- HALL OF FAME; Ken Buchanan Among 4 Inductees". The New York Times. 14 January 2000. Retrieved 13 February 2003.
- ^ Rawling, John (6 June 2000). "Battle honours for braveheart Buchanan". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 February 2003.
External links
- Ken Buchanan – A Look Back At a True Great - The Story of Buchanans Rise To Fame, ringnews24.com; accessed 20 August 2017.
- Boxing record for Ken Buchanan from BoxRec (registration required)
- Ken Buchanan interview, stv.tv, 18 June 2007; accessed 20 August 2017.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1945 births
- Living people
- Lightweight boxers
- Boxers from Edinburgh
- International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
- Scottish male boxers
- World Boxing Association champions
- World Boxing Council champions
- The Ring champions
- World lightweight boxing champions
- World boxing champions
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- People educated at Portobello High School