Was never really accepted by the British boxing fans after beating Henry Cooper to win the British Heavyweight title in 1971. A controversial points decision by the narrowest margin although many writers thought the decision correct. Fought Ali twice and Frazier, the Frazier fight was one of his best and only a narrow points defeat. He was one of those boxers you always felt could have been capable of beating the best but never really was aggressive enough. That said he competed in the greatest era of heavyweight boxing and was never disgraced. RIP...
RIP Joe. Never the most exciting boxer but went the distance with Ali twice and never shied away from fighting the best around.
This is what the BBC wrote: “Former heavyweight boxer Joe Bugner has died at the age of 75. Bugner twice held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and was a three-time European heavyweight champion. He faced Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in back-to-back bouts in 1973, before facing Ali again - for the world title - in 1975. "It is with great sadness that the former British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, and world championship contender Joe Bugner has passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia," said the British Boxing Board of Control. "The British Boxing Board of Control passes on its condolences to Joe's family." I always felt that if he’d had a ‘really nasty streak’ in him, he’d have been a serious contender - he had all the attributes. RIP Joe
