Former British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion Joe Bugner has died at the age of 75 in a care home in Brisbane, Australia.
Known for his toughness and towering presence, Bugner was a prominent figure in the heavyweight boxing scene of the 1970s. He fought the best of his era — including going the distance with both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1973 — and later challenged Ali for the undisputed world title in 1975, losing on points after 15 hard-fought rounds in Kuala Lumpur.
Born József Kreul Bugner in Szőreg, Hungary, in 1950, he and his family fled the Soviet invasion and settled in Britain in 1956. At just 17, he made his professional debut in London, although it ended in a third-round knockout loss.
Bugner’s breakthrough came in 1971 with a controversial points victory over British legend Henry Cooper, earning him the British, Commonwealth, and European titles. The verdict — decided by just half a point — shocked many, including iconic commentator Harry Carpenter, and sparked a backlash that lingered throughout Bugner’s career in Britain.
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Despite never winning a world title, Bugner earned respect for his durability and willingness to face elite opponents. He shared the ring with boxing greats like Jimmy Ellis, Ron Lyle, and Earnie Shavers, and later made several comebacks. After a loss to Frank Bruno in 1987, he moved to Australia, where he captured the national heavyweight title in 1995. He finally retired in 1999 with a record of 69 wins (41 KOs), 13 losses, and one draw.
In later years, Bugner suffered from health issues including a heart attack, skin cancer, and dementia. His son, Joe Jr, recently revealed that Bugner had lost all memory of his boxing career and did not recognise him during a visit.
Joe Bugner’s legacy is that of a true warrior — a man who stood toe-to-toe with legends and carved out a career defined by grit, longevity, and world-class competition.
