Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Bugner, known affectionately as “Aussie Joe”, has died in a Brisbane care home at the age of 75.
Bugner, who was born in Hungary and rose to fame in Britain, spent more than half his life in Australia and always said it was the only place he truly felt accepted.
He won Australian, British, European and Commonwealth belts during a long career, and became the oldest world heavyweight champion when he claimed the World Boxing Federation (WBF) title at 48.
The British Boxing Board of Control announced Bugner’s death and wrote a tribute to the boxer.
“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,” they began.
“The British Boxing Board of Control passes on its condolences to Joe’s family.”
At the height of his career, Bugner fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in back-to-back matches in 1973, and took on Ali again in 1975 for the WBA and WBC world titles.
He lost all three fights on points, but was never knocked out, which is a rare feat for any opponent of Ali and Frazier.
Tributes have poured in for the boxing legend, with English boxing journalist Gareth Davies saying: “Saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Bugner, aged 75. Defeated Sir Henry Cooper, fought Muhammad Ali (twice) and Joe Frazier.
“A brilliant defensive fighter and one of the characters of the 70s 80s and even 90s. RIP THE BLONDE BOMBER.”
“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,” added English promoter Frank Warren.
His early career was marked by controversy in Britain after he ended the career of boxing hero Henry Cooper with a narrow points win in 1971.
“I wish I had never ruddy fought Henry Cooper,” he admitted a few years later.
“It got me chased out of England.”
Bugner moved to Australia in 1986 and went on to win the national heavyweight title in 1995.
Three years later, he defeated James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith to win the WBF title.
He retired for good the following year with a record of 69 wins, 13 losses and one draw.
He reunited with both Ali and Frazier in his later years – once during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where he worked as a commentator for Channel 7, and again at his 60th birthday charity dinner in 2010.
Beyond boxing, Bugner appeared in the 1994 film Street Fighter with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue, and joined the reality show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here in 2009.
Born Jozsef Kreul Bugner in Szoreg, Hungary, in 1950, he fled the country with his mother and four siblings at age six during the Soviet invasion. They settled in Britain, where Bugner began boxing and turned professional at 17.
Sportswriter Hugh McIlvanney once said he had “the physique of a Greek statue but with fewer moves,” while Muhammad Ali predicted he would become world champion.
Bugner spent his final years in a Brisbane care home after being diagnosed with dementia.
He is survived by his three children, James, Joe Jr and Amy.
Image: Fox Sports
