Boxing icon Joe Bugner has died at the age of 75.
The fearless fighter affectionately known as “Aussie Joe” has passed away at his aged care home in Brisbane.
The heavyweight cult hero who famously went the distance in his fights against Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the 1970s was one of the most colourful and loved personalities in Australian boxing after he migrated to Australia towards the end of his career.
The Hungary-born fighter faced Ali and Frazier in 1973, before taking on Ali again in a world title bout in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, losing each contest on points.
Bugner, who fought the majority of his career recognised as a British fighter, is the only boxer that faced Ali and Frazier and was not stopped by either of them.
Bugner’s other notable opponents included American Earnie Shavers and British rivals Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno.
His career spanned 32 years ended in 1999, by which time he had relocated to Australia, where he spent the final years of his life in a care home after being diagnosed with dementia.
The British Boxing Board of Control said: “It is with great sadness that the former British, European, Commonwealth heavyweight champion and world championship contender Joe Bugner has passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia.
“The British Boxing Board of Control passes on its condolences to Joe’s family.”
Bugner, who was a child refugee when he moved to Britain after his family fled the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary, won 69 of his 83 contests, with 13 defeats and one draw.
He was an Australian heavyweight champion and twice held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. He was also a three-time European champ and famously became the oldest heavyweight champ in history.
He retired after a defeat to Bruno in 1987 but financial problems contributed to a comeback after eight years away and he won the Australian title, later securing the lightly regarded World Boxing Federation crown at the age of 48.
After his boxing career Bugner was involved in the film industry and appeared on the British TV show ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ in 2009.
Promoter Frank Warren wrote on X: “Sad news to hear of the passing of Joe Bugner, former British, European and Commonwealth Champion, and a man who went the distance with both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.”
Bugner also crossed over into the entertainment industry and appeared in 1994 Hollywood film Street Fighter, which also featured Kylie Minogue and Jean-Claude van Damme.
— with AFP