He still remains fairly bitter towards his home country as he feels he was not appreciated 'up' here in Scotland. Took 40 years to receive civic appreciation in Edinburgh (Leith). This was possibly because most of his big fights took place outside the country, or even the UK. In my opinion (only as a boxing fan) he has only been surpassed as the 'best' British boxer in very recent years.
For you Kenny. In June of 1972 Ken Buchanan stepped into the Madison Square Garden ring as favourite, for the third defence of the WBA Lightweight Title he'd lifted from Ismael Laguna. Buchanan would receive a then world record purse a lightweight. He would have the misfortune of running into a man who'd go on to being one of the all time greats, Roberto Duran, who just happened to having his first title fight. Buchanan would be subjected to one hell of a pounding. Not only would he be belted legally, he'd be repeatedly head butted and belted below the waste. At the end of the thirteenth, Buchanan hit the canvas from a low blow. After being helped to his corner, the ref stopped the fight. Doctor A. Harry Kleiman of the New York State Athletic Commission said of Buchanan. "He's in extreme pain and has swelling to the right testicle." Buchanan said his metal protector had been dented and had then pierced his gonad. He said he passed blood for days.
Round 5; not too disimilar to the first Leonard - Duran fight. Just remembered a 'meet' with Ken a few years ago. Some dickhead came up to us and asked Ken if Duran had hurt him before punching his balls. Ken responded by saying he had been hurt by nearly every punch in every fight landed on his 'coupon'. Guy just looked astounded; obviously never been punched himself!
Cheers Cyc. From the camera angle you could not say for sure whether the punch on/after the bell was low. Trajectory would suggest low however a great fight. Funny how things have not changed from 1972 to the present day (Andy Murray). The commentator stated that Buchanan had commented you win and your British, you lose and your Scotch (?).
Fight not happening well hasn't been confirmed yet. Haye hasn't announced a date or opponent for his next fight
I have no doubt about the low blow on the bell Kenny. I think he also copped one about half way through that round. Although well in front, I believe Duran should have been disqualified.
After beating Buchanan in 72, he went undefeated in 12 more Lightweight Title fights that went from 72 to 78. He then stepped up to Welterweight and took Sugar Ray Leonard's belt in 1980. He then lost the rematch. He won the Super Welterweight in 83. He won the Middleweight belt in 89 beating Iran Barkley. 103 - 16 - 0.
Ah the early eighties with Leonard, Duran, Hagler, Hearns and others; favourite era of boxing for me. Nobody dodged another dangerous and world class opponent.
And Duran fought Leonard, Hagler, De Jesus, Benitez, Davey Moore, Quevas, Hearns, Pazienza, Camacho & Joppy etc.
Two enthralling bouts going off in little old Tokyo town tonight, both of them at the Ota - City Gymnasium. Two time winner of the WBA Super Flyweight Title, Kohei Kono of Japan, puts his belt on the line against the Panamanian Luis Concepcion, the WBA Interim Champion, in what is a mandatory defence. Concepcion is no slouch, although he's not won a full belt as yet, he's held Silver or Interim titles on eleven occasions. Two fights back, Kono saw off a Koki Kameda in a wild old affair in the USA. In a brawl that saw a knock down, three point deductions and 1700 landed, Kono proved a bit too strong. Kono will also have a decent height and reach over Concepcion. Betting on the fight is tight as well. The champ Kono is a 11-10 chance, while Concepcion is at 1-1. The other fight is between the number one ranked light flyweight in the world, WBA champion Ryoichi Taguchi and fellow countryman Ryo Miyazaki. Since taking the title on points, off Alberto Rossel in December 2014, Taguchi has three times defended his turf, once with a ko and retiring the two others. He looks to be a young man who's beginning to make a real fist of game. Miyazaki is a former winner of a world title, the WBA Minimumweight Belt. He won and successfully defended it twice before moving up in weight. Miyazaki comes in a massive height and reach disadvantage though and is expected to struggle against Taguchi who is being touted as a pretty decent fighter. Betting has Taguchi at 3-10 and Miyazaki at 3-1.
What an era of boxing wish I'd been around at the time, well I was for some of it but I mean I wish I was I'd been old enough to be aware of it and appreciate it
In a bloody fight, Lius Concepcion out pointed Kohei Kono to snatch the WBA Super Flyweight belt. Concepcion jumped out to a commanding early lead in the bout, which allowed him to see off the late finishing effort of Kono. Judges all had the Concepcion in front after the final bell. 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. In the second title bout of the evening, hot prospect Ryoichi Taguchi proved much too good for the mandatory challenger Ryo Miyazaki, winning 119-109, 117-111 and 116-112. Taguchi used his reach and speed to cruise to a fourth defence of his WBA Light Flyweight Title.
