Ken Buchanan fought Andries Steyn in South Africa a few months before he lost the championship to Duran. We had high hopes, as Steyn was a class act who had beaten three world champions in non-title bouts. He was too much for our guy, however, winning by stoppage in three rounds after knocking Steyn down several times. Ken Buchanan was a champion through and through, in and out of the ring.
I never usually add comments but feel compelled to do so for such a gentleman fighter so bear with me if you would. Iwas a bus driver in Edinburgh and would see ken from time to time,once he walked right in front of my bus I think the fright we both got was mutual(i nearly ran over ken Buchanan I said back at the depot "aye right" my fellow drivers said (the polite version).He in turn got a right fright but the sort of guy he was he apologised to me,no need to ken I said and I mentioned to him I had read his book the tartan legend, taking advantage to speak to one of my heroes for a few seconds really made my day. I hadn't seen ken around Edinburgh for months and would often wonder what he was doing. My dad was also a fan and would talk of yesterday year when ken had won the title. My dad was suffering from dementia and boxing was one of the subjects that he would talk for hours he had a amazing memory for Scottish fighters going right back to Benny lynch, unfortunately as the disease progressed my dad went into full time care,I would go and see him every weekend in Leith. Sadly in one of my visits going to my dad's room I was walking behind a gentleman wearing a fedora hat what fantastic posture I thought to myself he must have been a military man or a boxer,when he turned around my stomach dropped it was Ken Buchanan. Over the next year and a half I would visit my dad and talk to Ken every chance I got talking about his amazing career and his contribution to boxing,to which his reply was always "I'm just a laddie from Edinburgh I'd do it all the same,I've had a great life". I had the privilege of seeing the rapier jab first hand(I did ask him,what a fool I am)his speed even in his seventies genuinely caught me off guard one jab to the body and another up stairs,barely touched me his skills still evident to a stunned 55 year old. I wanted to bring my copy of his book to ask if he would autograph it for my dad who was 6 rooms up from Ken's but I never did or take a picture with the champ,as I thought it to be disrespectful taking his privacy into account. On one visit in February or march last year passing his room I would always offer Ken some of my dad's favourite fudge(sorry dad)but his room was empty and Ken passed shortly afterwards. I think this covers what Ken Buchanan was one of the most important boxers Britain has ever produced,a modest humble fighting gentleman,and even with some awful health problems always kind and polite to everyone (especially the care staff) he would talk to anyone like an old pal,even during the Edinburgh festival l remember him being on the bus and someone asking are you Ken Buchanan?aye he would say,and the constant questions must have got on his nerves,but you would never know, always had time for people. I really miss talking to my pal. It's said that you should never meet your heroes, nothing could be further from the truth in Ken's case.
Brilliant insight there Frank, Scotland certainly produced some talent in the 60s Dick Mctaggart ,Walter Magowen, Jim Watt too name just a few and you seem to articulate the fight game in a lovely old fashioned way like the afore mentioned Mr Watt used to do on tv , the respect seems to have been lost in this modern era. As regards Buchanan imagine that Duran outcome today, and no rematch unbelievable, it was a much harder road to world honours back then, i like to think my fellow Welshmen Eddie Thomas and Howard Winstone had something to do with that Buchanan jab and the limitless stamina all Thomas fighters seemed to possess, but that heart was built in Scotland.
I remember Kens career very well especially the Duran fight. Ken was a great boxer but Duran was just relentless that night. He overwhelmed Ken and deservedly won regardless of the low blow incident. But full respect to Ken Buchanan. Sad to hear how his later life turned out.
Totally agree. One of my favourite boxers of all time. Also a skilled carpenter i do believe. Such a shame as he should have been a wealthy man. Got a little anecdote to add. A woman relative of mine worked for Avis the car rental company way back when and KB called to hire a vehicle and after he mentioned his name she asked for his occupation. Made me laugh when she mentioned it as she knew i was a boxing fan.
high frank I was with ken and his dad, when he went into the hall of fame, it was a great night , he was a bit scared to speak to the audience, me being a public speak I told to relax , he did a great job, lovely night wat a man and his dad, loved him, all the best liverpool bank robber to Hollywood Butler,
It bothers me when people suggest that Calzaghe is the best British fighter ever! For me it's Ken Buchanan by a country mile. Ken had cruel misfortune through being active at the same time as the legendary Roberto Duran. Else he'd have resigned supreme for at least 7 years or more.
Thanks Frank, nice tribute, you've got me thinking?, what about Vernon solace , I'm sure he was a featherweight, do you know him or did you box against him 🏴✌️
In my opinion the most underrated boxer of all time is heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi. I honestly think that he would have been remembered as the GOAT had it not been for the fact that the man was insane. There was never a bigger waste of boxing talent. What a shame.
Yes. The contract was signed but he refused to go through with it. It must be said Duran was clearly ahead when the fight ended. Duran just went from strength to strength.
But it was a dirty fight it wasn’t The only low blow Ken had to suffer. It’s a shame Duran should have been disqualified we would then have Had the rematch that would have been the fair outcome. If you Duran had won the rematch we could then say he was the better man. I can remember my dad and his friends going to London to watch the ABA finals Ken thought sorry I forgot his first name but his second name is Loud he was from her boxing family and after this fight he was turning professional. Dad said Ken beat him easily but they gave Loud The title as he was turning professional after this fight. I can remember dads words to me I’ve seen a future world champion last night Ken Buchanan. That night Ken was so much younger than his opponent. Maybe you know this family I hope I’ve spent spelt its name right maybe even you can remember this fight. Thanks for this video I enjoyed it so much I suppose you’ve gathered I’m a big fan of Ken. living in Cambridgeshire since the age of eight. It sounds as though you came from the pride I came from the other side the poverty.
If anyone has a claim to be the GOAT it's the man who took Buchanan's world title. Like many infighters, Duran was far more technically skilled than he looked so Ken is underrated. But as Hugh McIlvanney said Ken was lightening fast but rather too Corinthian. Duran was all wrong for him.
When none other than Bruce Lee was asked his favourite boxers , he named Muhammad Ali and Ken Buchanan . High praise indeed.
An incredible athlete
Really enjoyed that, great insights.
Ken Buchanan fought Andries Steyn in South Africa a few months before he lost the championship to Duran. We had high hopes, as Steyn was a class act who had beaten three world champions in non-title bouts. He was too much for our guy, however, winning by stoppage in three rounds after knocking Steyn down several times.
Ken Buchanan was a champion through and through, in and out of the ring.
Amazing Frank, thank you very much for the video 👌🏴👍.
What wonderful experiences you have had and what a beautiful way of telling them. Thank you for sharing with us! 🥊
Duran said Buchanan was the most skilled boxer he ever fought at Lightweight.
Frank- Some great reminiscences. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a happy man,I stated years ago the Ken Buchanan was the best boxer I had seen,happy for Franks endorsement,ha
I never usually add comments but feel compelled to do so for such a gentleman fighter so bear with me if you would.
Iwas a bus driver in Edinburgh and would see ken from time to time,once he walked right in front of my bus I think the fright we both got was mutual(i nearly ran over ken Buchanan I said back at the depot "aye right" my fellow drivers said (the polite version).He in turn got a right fright but the sort of guy he was he apologised to me,no need to ken I said and I mentioned to him I had read his book the tartan legend, taking advantage to speak to one of my heroes for a few seconds really made my day.
I hadn't seen ken around Edinburgh for months and would often wonder what he was doing.
My dad was also a fan and would talk of yesterday year when ken had won the title.
My dad was suffering from dementia and boxing was one of the subjects that he would talk for hours he had a amazing memory for Scottish fighters going right back to Benny lynch, unfortunately as the disease progressed my dad went into full time care,I would go and see him every weekend in Leith.
Sadly in one of my visits going to my dad's room I was walking behind a gentleman wearing a fedora hat what fantastic posture I thought to myself he must have been a military man or a boxer,when he turned around my stomach dropped it was Ken Buchanan.
Over the next year and a half I would visit my dad and talk to Ken every chance I got talking about his amazing career and his contribution to boxing,to which his reply was always "I'm just a laddie from Edinburgh I'd do it all the same,I've had a great life".
I had the privilege of seeing the rapier jab first hand(I did ask him,what a fool I am)his speed even in his seventies genuinely caught me off guard one jab to the body and another up stairs,barely touched me his skills still evident to a stunned 55 year old.
I wanted to bring my copy of his book to ask if he would autograph it for my dad who was 6 rooms up from Ken's but I never did or take a picture with the champ,as I thought it to be disrespectful taking his privacy into account.
On one visit in February or march last year passing his room I would always offer Ken some of my dad's favourite fudge(sorry dad)but his room was empty and Ken passed shortly afterwards.
I think this covers what Ken Buchanan was one of the most important boxers Britain has ever produced,a modest humble fighting gentleman,and even with some awful health problems always kind and polite to everyone (especially the care staff) he would talk to anyone like an old pal,even during the Edinburgh festival l remember him being on the bus and someone asking are you Ken Buchanan?aye he would say,and the constant questions must have got on his nerves,but you would never know, always had time for people.
I really miss talking to my pal.
It's said that you should never meet your heroes, nothing could be further from the truth in Ken's case.
Thanks for this story. I like to hear this kind of thing and I appreciate you getting in touch.
Thank you for sharing!
Brilliant insight there Frank, Scotland certainly produced some talent in the 60s Dick Mctaggart ,Walter Magowen, Jim Watt too name just a few and you seem to articulate the fight game in a lovely old fashioned way like the afore mentioned Mr Watt used to do on tv , the respect seems to have been lost in this modern era. As regards Buchanan imagine that Duran outcome today, and no rematch unbelievable, it was a much harder road to world honours back then, i like to think my fellow Welshmen Eddie Thomas and Howard Winstone had something to do with that Buchanan jab and the limitless stamina all Thomas fighters seemed to possess, but that heart was built in Scotland.
I remember Kens career very well especially the Duran fight.
Ken was a great boxer but Duran was just relentless that night. He overwhelmed Ken and deservedly won regardless of the low blow incident.
But full respect to Ken Buchanan. Sad to hear how his later life turned out.
One thing about Ken was that he had a good chin. He was as tough as he was skilful and had tremendous stamina. Thanks for getting in touch.
Wonderful heartfelt review..Thank you.
Totally agree. One of my favourite boxers of all time. Also a skilled carpenter i do believe. Such a shame as he should have been a wealthy man. Got a little anecdote to add. A woman relative of mine worked for Avis the car rental company way back when and KB called to hire a vehicle and after he mentioned his name she asked for his occupation. Made me laugh when she mentioned it as she knew i was a boxing fan.
Nice story. Thanks.
high frank I was with ken and his dad, when he went into the hall of fame, it was a great night , he was a bit scared to speak to the audience, me being a public speak I told to relax , he did a great job, lovely night wat a man and his dad, loved him, all the best liverpool bank robber to Hollywood Butler,
@terrymoogan3773 Nice tale, Terry. Thanks for getting in touch and all the best.
It bothers me when people suggest that Calzaghe is the best British fighter ever! For me it's Ken Buchanan by a country mile. Ken had cruel misfortune through being active at the same time as the legendary Roberto Duran. Else he'd have resigned supreme for at least 7 years or more.
Thanks Frank, nice tribute, you've got me thinking?, what about Vernon solace , I'm sure he was a featherweight, do you know him or did you box against him 🏴✌️
Vernon Solace was pretty special. A little later than me. He was a British featherweight champion, you're right.
In my opinion the most underrated boxer of all time is heavyweight Ike Ibeabuchi. I honestly think that he would have been remembered as the GOAT had it not been for the fact that the man was insane. There was never a bigger waste of boxing talent. What a shame.
Brilliant fighter. We will all have our nominations.
Is it true that Duran wouldn’t give him the rematch?
Yes. The contract was signed but he refused to go through with it. It must be said Duran was clearly ahead when the fight ended. Duran just went from strength to strength.
But it was a dirty fight it wasn’t The only low blow Ken had to suffer. It’s a shame Duran should have been disqualified we would then have Had the rematch that would have been the fair outcome. If you Duran had won the rematch we could then say he was the better man. I can remember my dad and his friends going to London to watch the ABA finals Ken thought sorry I forgot his first name but his second name is Loud he was from her boxing family and after this fight he was turning professional. Dad said Ken beat him easily but they gave Loud The title as he was turning professional after this fight. I can remember dads words to me I’ve seen a future world champion last night Ken Buchanan. That night Ken was so much younger than his opponent. Maybe you know this family I hope I’ve spent spelt its name right maybe even you can remember this fight. Thanks for this video I enjoyed it so much I suppose you’ve gathered I’m a big fan of Ken. living in Cambridgeshire since the age of eight. It sounds as though you came from the pride I came from the other side the poverty.
@@thomasreed49 Thanks for sharing your story.
If anyone has a claim to be the GOAT it's the man who took Buchanan's world title. Like many infighters, Duran was far more technically skilled than he looked so Ken is underrated. But as Hugh McIlvanney said Ken was lightening fast but rather too Corinthian. Duran was all wrong for him.
Monzon is the most underrated boxer ever
Monzon was tremendous. I was posing the question.
He only lost to Duran after a low blow.
Yes, although he was well behind at the time. Still, Duran should have been disqualified.