Ken Buchanan: Scottish boxing giant dies aged 77

The boxing great from Edinburgh had been battling dementia.

His death was confirmed by the Ken Buchanan Foundation with a statement on their social media.

It read: “It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that Ken Buchanan passed away peacefully this morning.

“Further announcements will follow and please give the family some time to process this sad news. RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see.”

The boxer memorably won the 1970 WBA lightweight title after defeating then-reigning champion Ismael Laguna.

That same year, the lightweight boxer was named the American Boxing Writers’ Association’s Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

The following year he defeated Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles to claim the WBC title and become Scotland’s first undisputed world champion.

The feat was not achieved until 50 years later by Josh Taylor in 2021.

Paying tribute to his hero, Taylor wrote on Twitter: “Sad to hear the news of the passing of my hero and Scotland’s greatest champion of all time, from whom I draw so much inspiration.

“R.I.P. Ken Buchanan.”