September 1, Monday:
The boxing world is in mourning following the death of one of its all-time great heavyweights. Joe Bugner, the Hungarian-born British-Australian boxer who boxed with legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, has died aged 75.
The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed the news in a statement, saying that Bugner passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia. "It is with great sadness that the former British, European, Commonwealth heavyweight champion and world championship contender Joe Bugner has passed away," the board said in a statement, as reported by The Sun.
A career marked by legendary battles
Bugner's career is remembered in the records of boxing history for his wars with the best of the sport. He beat Ali twice, initially in 1973 in Las Vegas and then in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur for the WBA, WBC and Ring heavyweight titles. While losing both fights on unanimous point verdicts, his performances were respected throughout.
Only months after his initial fight with Ali, Bugner faced Joe Frazier in London's Earls Court, where he again lost on points. In spite of the losses, his capacity to stand in his place with the giants of the time earned him his place as one of the most resilient heavyweights of his generation.
A champion remembered for resilience
Bugner started his career in 1971 by defeating Henry Cooper and earning titles in the British, European Commonwealth. He successfully retained his European title against Jurgen Blin just a few weeks later but was stripped of all three belts later in the same year by Jack Bodell.
Tributes are still coming in from around the sporting world, recalling Bugner not just as a great fighter but also as a gritted competitor who had the pride of three countries, Hungary, Britain, and Australia.
