British boxing great, Joe Bugner, has died at the age of 75.
The former British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight champion passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia.
British Boxing Board of Control confirmed this in a statement on its website on Monday.
“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,” the Board said.
Born in Hungary, Bugner became a British citizen and later made Australia his home.
He built a career that saw him share the ring with some of the most celebrated fighters of all time.
Bugner twice faced Muhammad Ali — in Las Vegas in 1973 and again in Kuala Lumpur in 1975 for the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine world titles.
Both times he went the distance, losing on unanimous decisions but earning admiration for lasting 15 gruelling rounds with “The Greatest.”
He also took on Joe Frazier at Earls Court in 1973, only months after his first clash with Ali, again showing his toughness in defeat.
Domestically, his defining moment came in 1971 when, at just 21, he outpointed British hero Henry Cooper to claim the British, European and Commonwealth crowns.
The victory was controversial — Cooper was a national favourite and Bugner’s cautious style divided fans — but it marked his arrival among the heavyweight elite.
Bugner went on to defend his European title against Jurgen Blin before losing his belts to Jack Bodell later that year.
He later faced big punchers such as Earnie Shavers and crossed paths with Frank Bruno, though a world title always eluded him. He retired with 69 wins (41 by knockout), 13 defeats and one draw.
Promoter Frank Warren was among the first to pay tribute, writing: “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.
He also participated in the first fight I did on ITV – a great man who will be missed. I’m sending my regards to his family. May he rest in peace.”
Fans also remembered Bugner as one of the toughest men of his era.
One wrote, “RIP Joe Bugner, boy could fight for sure. Took on Ali twice and lost on decisions. Also fought Cooper, Frazier, Shavers and Bruno. Was underrated.”
Another added, “He fought and tested the greats of the heavyweight division and has to be considered one of the best never to win a world title.”
Bugner leaves behind a legacy as one of the few men to have gone the distance with both Ali and Frazier — cementing his place among the toughest heavyweights of the 1970s.
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