'He was extraordinarily skilful, teak tough and irredeemably thrawn'
The words of Andy Stewart’s song can seem sentimental, even mawkish but they garner substance and poignancy when applied to Ken Buchanan, the greatest Scottish boxer ever.
His penchant was to take on the local hero in their own dens, regularly beating them and never being outclassed or outfought by any of them. Buchanan will be remembered worldwide, though, for his duel with Laguna in Puerto Rico in 1970. The Scot was very much regarded as the second favourite in this two-horse race. He prevailed, however, with a mixture of exquisite talent and unbreakable will.
Buchanan was hit low by the Panamanian in the 13th round. There is confusion over whether it was a knee or a glove that reduced the Scot to a heap but the pain lingered long after Duran’s victory. Buchanan, with his tartan shorts and his Leith accent, was undoubtedly a Scottish soldier but he was a world-class fighter who was held in conspicuous regard. He was mentioned in dispatches to me in an interview with Budd Schulberg, that wonderful chronicler of the ring and screenwriter of On the Waterfront.This country has been blessed by gifted boxers who have taken on the world and given it a bloody nose. Buchanan stands as the best.
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