Today, hundreds of people from the capital came together to celebrate the unveiling of a statue honoring the career of one of Scotland’s most accomplished athletes on Leith Walk.
Edinburgh honors Ken Buchanan with a statue.
In his hometown of Edinburgh, the legendary boxer Ken Buchanan has been honored with a life-size bronze statue.
As the uncontested lightweight champion in 1971, Buchanan, now 77, made history and is still considered Scotland’s greatest boxer.
At the top of Leith Walk, on Little King Street, the renowned sculptor Alan Herriot’s bronze portrait was unveiled. One of Buchanan’s world title belts is slung over his waist as he strikes out in a fighting stance.
Who was Ken Buchanan?
Scottish professional boxer Ken Buchanan MBE, who hails from Edinburgh and was once the unchallenged lightweight champion, was born on June 28, 1945.
Ken Buchanan, a 77-year-old boxer from Edinburgh who is widely regarded as the best to come out of the UK and who made boxing history by dominating the lightweight class in the early 1970s, was the man of the moment.
The statue of Ken Buchanan
Scottish professional boxer Ken Buchanan MBE, who hails from Edinburgh and was once the unchallenged lightweight champion, was born on June 28, 1945.
Ken Buchanan, a 77-year-old boxer from Edinburgh who is widely regarded as the best to come out of the UK and who made boxing history by dominating the lightweight class in the early 1970s, was the man of the moment.
The bronze monument was unveiled by former Lord Provosts of Edinburgh Frank Ross and Donald Wilson after the Ken Buchanan MBE Foundation raised more than £47,000 over six years to have the sculpture constructed.
Celebrations and Comments about the legendary boxer Ken Buchanan statue
A song dedicated to the legendary boxer, “Ken Buchanan, Edinburgh guy,” was sung by Edinburgh singer-songwriter Kevin Gore during the sporting icon’s event.
Jim Black, a sports writer and foundation trustee, commented on the event by saying, “The term ‘legend’ is bandied about these days too often to describe characters unworthy of the term.
“However, there is absolutely no question that the man we are honoring today is entirely deserving of the distinction.
Ken is undoubtedly a true legend and one of the greatest boxers ever to come out of Britain and Scotland. He is also a truly outstanding sportsman from this city.
But finally, he assumes his proper position in the pantheon of Edinburgh’s most illustrious and revered figures.
“I believe that having a new landmark and tourist attraction will also be advantageous for the Capital.”
Jim Watt, a former world champion and Buchanan’s former opponent, also spoke briefly. He asked the enthusiastic crowd, “Do you think the statue will hold still long enough for me to smash it?” in reference to their memorable 1973 fight.
“What’s occurring here is amazing and well deserved,” said Mr. Watt. “Kenny has had a great many special nights and days in his life, and he’s experiencing another one tonight.”
“When you spend 15 rounds trying to knock one other’s teeth out, you develop a special affinity and respect for one another,” he continued.
“Kenny and I have that for one another, but now that we’re best friends, I appreciate it even more!”
There is no bigger praise than when citizens of your own city want to create a statue to honor your career and your achievements, and Kenny most certainly deserves that, he said in an interview with the Evening News.
“One thing I noticed at the several events that I was honored to be invited to was the love and admiration that the boxing community generally have for Ken Buchanan,” said former Lord Provost Frank Ross, who had previously attended several fundraising events for the endeavor.
Ken Buchanan Boxing career
Initial career
Buchanan won the 1965 ABA featherweight title before going pro. On September 20, 1965, he made his professional boxing debut by knocking out Brian Tonks in the second round in London.
He spent a large portion of his early professional career competing against unremarkable opponents in England. On January 23, 1967, he defeated John McMillan over the course of 10 rounds, making his Scottish debut. He had previously defeated Ivan Whiter by decision after eight rounds.
Later in life
In order to win back the British lightweight championship in 1973, Buchanan first defeated Jim Watt, who would go on to become the world lightweight champion, by decision after 15 rounds. He soon started another worldwide tour, which included fights in Canada, many battles in Denmark, and other fights in the United States.
Having won each of those contests, he challenged European lightweight champion Antonio Puddu in Italy. Puddu was defeated by a decision after 15 rounds by Buchanan, who thus added the European lightweight championship belt to his collection.
By defeating Tavarez a third time, this time in Paris by way of a knockout in 14, he successfully defended his title. After that, he traveled to Japan to challenge for the world championship once more. But in this match, the WBC world champion, Guts Ishimatsu, prevailed via decision after 15 rounds.
Buchanan recovered once more, defeating Giancarlo Usai by knockout in 12 rounds to successfully defend his European lightweight championship. But he took a break from competition between 1976 and 1978, leaving the European lightweight title unclaimed.
He won two straight fights after making a comeback to professional boxing in 1978, but after that, things started to go south for him. He challenged Charlie Nash in Copenhagen but was defeated by a count of twelve.
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He won two consecutive fights in 1980, but after that, he suffered a five-fight losing streak before he was defeated by George Feeney by decision in eight rounds on January 25, 1982. He was chosen to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000. He was admitted to the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
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