On Saturday, the Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed in a statement that the boxer “passed away peacefully in his sleep”. His death comes a year after his son Mark said that he has been diagnosed with dementia.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep,” the statement said. “RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see.”
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Buchanan was born on June 28, 1947, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He began his boxing career as an amateur before turning professional in 1965. Buchanan quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, winning his first 26 fights before being handed his first professional defeat in 1970.
He was married to Carol Buchanan, but the date of their marriage could not be confirmed. Their only son was Mark Buchanan.
He continued to fight at the highest level throughout his career, taking on some of the sport’s biggest names, including Duran, Carlos Ortiz, and Jim Watt. He retired from boxing in 1982, having fought 69 times, winning 61 of them. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.
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“Absolutely gutted at the news Ken Buchanan has died. So proud that I could call him a friend and he reciprocated with this plaque given to me when doing me the honour of attending my party for a big birthday last year. Thanks for the memories and RIP champ, the one and only,” journalist Bill Lothian wrote on Twitter.
“I’m saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero & scotland’s greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from. RIP Ken Buchanan. god bless your soul (sic),” boxer Josh Taylor said in a tweet.