Joe Bugner, who fought legendary Muhammad Ali for world heavyweight title, dies aged 75

Former British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Joe Bugner, who twice fought legendary Muhammad Ali, has died at the age of 75. Born in Hungary and raised in Britain, Bugner was known for his resilience and powerful style inside the ring. He faced Ali for the world heavyweight title in 1975, famously lasting the full 15 rounds in Kuala Lumpur. Over a career spanning three decades, Bugner also fought other heavyweight greats such as Joe Frazier and Henry Cooper, Earnie Shavers Ron Lyle and Frank Bruno, cementing his reputation as one of the toughest heavyweight boxers of his era.

Bugner’s second bout with Ali came in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, where he unsuccessfully challenged for the unified heavyweight titles. Ali once again emerged victorious by decision, repeating the outcome of their first meeting in Las Vegas two years earlier in 1973. Bugner outpointed Henry Cooper in 1971 to claim the British, European, and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. He finished his professional career with an official record of 69 wins, 13 losses, and 1 draw, with 41 of those victories coming by knockout.

Bugner, who clinched the British and British Commonwealth titles twice during his career and was also a three-time holder of the European heavyweight crown, began his professional career in 1967. He first stepped away from the sport in 1976 but went on to make several comebacks over the years. His second retirement came after a TKO loss to Frank Bruno in 1987, before finally hanging up his gloves in 1999 at the age of 49, following a victory over Levi Billups in Australia.


Former world heavyweight Bruno took to social media to offer his condolences for Bugner.

“RIP Joe Bugner just heard sad news of the passing of Joe," Bruno wrote on 'X'. “We spent quite a bit of time together around the time of my fight with him he was a character and played Mr bad guy when we did the promotion for the fight."


Bugner also tried his hands in acting, famously appearing in the 1994 action film Street Fighter, where he starred alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme. Bugner held triple nationality - born a Hungarian citizen, later naturalised in both the United Kingdom and Australia.


British promoter Frank Warren also shared his feelings on X, saying, "A great man who will be missed."

"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."