Former British Heavyweight Boxer Joe Bugner dies at 75

Former British heavyweight boxer Joe Bugner, famed for going the distance with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 75.

Born in Hungary, Bugner faced Ali and Frazier in 1973 and later contested Ali again in a world title bout in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, losing on points in each match. He also fought notable opponents such as American Earnie Shavers and British fighters Henry Cooper and Frank Bruno.

Bugner’s boxing career spanned 32 years, ending in 1999 after he had relocated to Australia, where he spent his final years in a care home after being diagnosed with dementia.

The British Boxing Board of Control mourned his death, stating: “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. We pass on our condolences to Joe’s family.”

A child refugee who moved to Britain after the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary, Bugner won 69 of his 83 fights, with 13 defeats and one draw. He twice held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and was a three-time European champion.

Bugner initially retired after a defeat to Frank Bruno in 1987 but returned to win the Australian title and later the lightly regarded World Boxing Federation crown at age 48.

Beyond boxing, Bugner appeared in the film industry and featured 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.”