A host of Scottish stars have all paid tribute to Ken Buchanan, since the sad news of his passing. He became the first Scottish man to hold undisputed status defeating Ruben Navarro in 1971 for the lightweight crown.
Passing in his native Edinburgh at 77 years-old, the past days have seen an outpour of remembrance in Scotland. Current super lightweight world champion Josh Taylor and fellow Edinburgh man has called the late Buchanan “The greatest” and “The King” on his Twitter account.
Taylor, massively inspired by Buchanan, paid an emotional tribute in The Scotsman. “I went over to the United States, to Las Vegas, to face Jose Ramirez for all the belts – to become the undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world – and I won. Ken spoke to me before that fight to give me some encouragement. ‘Go and do it, son. I know you can do it. Go and do me proud,’ he told me. That victory made me realise how our careers have gone down fairly similar paths. I also didn’t have any welcome at the airport following my big victory against Ramirez. No one was allowed to come and greet me because of the restrictions in place due to the Covid pandemic!”
Taylor became just the second man from Scotland after Buchanan to claim the undisputed crown, having paid tribute throughout his career wearing the same tartan shorts.
Another Scottish world champion, Alex Arthur told ProBox TV News “I first met Kenny when I was 12 years old, he came to the Leith Victoria home show. He came to talk to me in the changing rooms, very kindly, he didn’t need to do that.
“He always made me laugh. He was really really funny.” Arthur remembered. “Obviously there were times where he were a wee bit critical of me, but I think it’s because he genuinely cared about me. He always had good advice for me.
“I’m very thankful I got to spend loads of time with him over the years. In terms of boxing ability and technique, he was years ahead of his time. His left jab was like a trick-hammer, it was unbelievable. Seven, eight, nine jabs at a time in searing heat in Puerto Rico to win that title.”
The tributes have flowed from all areas, Buchanan’s beloved Hibernian F.C. shared the message
“Hibernian FC were saddened to hear yesterday of the passing of Ken Buchanan, the Edinburgh boxer who conquered the world in the 1970s. The Scottish sporting legend delivered the match ball ahead of the derby earlier this year at Easter Road. Rest in peace, Ken.”
The lightweight king has been immortalised in the city of Edinburgh, his statue standing upon the hill top of Leith Walk, showing the impact Buchanan has on his people. Tributes, flowers and messages pile up on his statue as locals discuss “drinking in his pub” and “what a great fighter he was” as the sun shines down on Leith.
Former rival Jim Watt, who faced Buchanan in a memorable all Scottish British title fight in 1973, added his own words.
“I can hardly believe Kenny has gone.” Watt told The Daily Mail. “When I last saw him he looked terrific, as if he could still do lightweight. I honestly thought he would last another decade at least the physical shape he was in. I feel a real sense of loss and deep sadness.”
