Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Lee Dalgetty

Edinburgh boxing legend Ken Buchanan's memorial service to be held at St Giles' Cathedral

The memorial service for Edinburgh boxing legend Ken Buchanan will be held at St Giles' Cathedral on April 25.

The Scottish legend died at the beginning of the month, after an impressive career where he rose to undisputed world lightweight champion in 1971. The procession will pass the former Sparta Boxing Club, McDonald Road and Ken Buchanan statue.

He was made an MBE in 1972, with his statue revealed in Edinburgh last year. It was also last year that his son revealed he was suffering from dementia and living in a care home.

READ MORE - Edinburgh's John Leslie’s huge property portfolio in the city after rise and fall TV career

Born June 28, 1945, Ken became a professional boxer in 1965. He went on to win the WBA lightweight world title by dethroning Panama's Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rica in 1970, defeating Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles in 1971, and earning 33 other wins.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said on the day of his death: “Today Edinburgh has lost one of its most renowned sons with the death of boxing legend Ken Buchanan at the age of 77.

“Born in Leith in 1945, Ken Buchanan would go on to become Scotland's first undisputed world champion and was once voted ‘Britain’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ by the Boxing News.

“Ken won a huge local fan base for putting Edinburgh firmly on the map and in 2016 he was presented with the Edinburgh Award. It is very fitting that his famous fighting hands have been immortalised on a flagstone outside the City Chambers.

“Throughout his life, he showed great appreciation for his native city and its people, and just last August crowds gathered to celebrate as a statue of Ken was unveiled at a public ceremony on Leith Walk.

“On behalf of the city, I want to convey heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Ken's family and friends. Our city mourns one of its most celebrated sons. May he rest in peace and I’m sure his legacy will be longstanding."

READ NEXT:

Woman who spent 'hours' cooking Easter lunch says her mother-in-law 'ruined it in seconds'

Edinburgh woman says 'people have lost hope' as housing scheme fills up with rubbish

Plans submitted to turn Edinburgh industrial space into contemporary apartments

Five of Edinburgh's most 'unwanted homes' on sale that just won't budge

Luxury Edinburgh cheese shop in plush area on sale after booming since pandemic

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.