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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
Lee Dalgetty

A look back at Edinburgh boxer Ken Buchanan's life through pictures

Legendary Edinburgh boxer Ken Buchanan passed away on Saturday after an impressive career which saw him become world lightweight champion way back in 1971.

The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed his passing with a statement that read: "It is with great sadness that we have to inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning.

"Further announcements will come 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."

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Born in Leith in June 1945, Ken was 20 when he began boxing professionally - beating Brian Tonks by knockout in his first fight. His Scottish debut came in his 17th fight, against John McMillan in 1967.

We've taken a look through his impressive career by raking through the archives, which you can see below.

Before long, he was going international. He faced off against junior welterweight champion Miguel Velasquez in Madrid for the European lightweight title.

He lost the match, but continued on to rise to the number one spot. In September 1970m he travelled to Puerto Rico to face off against Ismael Laguna - the world lightweight champion from Panama.

Experts thought the warm weather would effect his performance, but he beat Laguna to become the world's lightweight champion. Buchanan went on to beat another international champion Donato Paduano, before defeating Ruben Navarro 1971 - becoming the worlds undisputed world lightweight champion.

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He was stripped of the WBC title for failing to defend it against Pedro Carrasco and then lost the WBA belt when he controversially suffered just a second defeat against the great Roberto Duran. Buchanan fought for the final time in 1982. He was made an MBE in 1972 and was inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the Scottish Sport Hall of Fame, while a statue of him in his home city of Edinburgh was unveiled last year.

Scot Josh Taylor, who emulated Buchanan as undisputed light-welterweight world champion, said 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.”

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