Ken Buchanan: A HOF Champion Who Is Often Overlooked in Boxing Discussions

By Jim Amato

One of the finest lightweight champions I’ve seen over the last forty five years was Scotland’s Ken Buchanan. Born in Edinburgh on June 28, 1945, Ken was a major force in the lightweight division for nearly a decade. For almost two years he was the lightweight champion of the world. Buchanan had a solid amateur career in which he won the ABA featherweight title in 1965. Later that year he turned professional. In 1967 Ken won a ten round decision over John McMillan in Glasgow to win the vacant Scottish lightweight title. Later that year he scored his first major win against Frenchman Rene Roque. In his career Roque would meet world champions, Johnny Famechon, Sandro Lopopolo, Bruno Arcari and Pedro Carrasco.

In 1968 Buchanan continued to make steady progress. He halted Maurice Cullen in eleven rounds to capture the British lightweight crown. He also won verdicts over Leonard Tavarez and Angel Robinson Garcia. Ken made a big move in the world ratings in 1969 with a decision over tough Frankie Navarez. Buchanan lost his first fight in January of 1970 being knocked down and outscored by Spain’s Miguel Velazquez for the vacant European lightweight title. Buchanan would rebound to beat Tavarez again and the capable Chris Fernandez. Ken then defended his British title with a five round win over Brian Hudson.

On September 26th Buchanan stepped in to a ring in San Juan, Puerto Rico to face Panama’s Ismael Laguna, the lightweight champion of the world. Laguna had defeated the great Carlos Ortiz in 1965 to gain the title. He would lose it back to Ortiz later that year. In 1967 Laguna failed to win the title back from Carlos. Ever persistent, Laguna continued to campaign and in 1970 he stopped the talented Mando Ramos to regain the championship. He defended it against future titleholder Guts Suzuki to set the stage for his defense against Buchanan. It was a hard fought battle with intense, humid heat. Buchanan pulled it out down the stretch to win a razor close decision. It was a split decision with scores of 143-144,145-144 and 144-143 for the winner and new champion Ken Buchanan. The victory made Ken the first British lightweight titlist since Freddie Welsh in 1917.

Buchanan would next invade New York’s Madison Square Garden to face Canada’s clever boxing Donato Paduano in a non title fight. Ken put on quite a show for the Garden fans as he handled Paduano quite nicely. The ten round call in Buchanan’s favor was never in doubt. In 1971 Buchanan traveled to Los Angeles to defend against rugged Ruben Navarro. Ken looked very sharp in winning a comfortable decision. Besides retaining his title he was also awarded the WBC’s version of it. In June Buchanan would relinquish the WBC belt due to a contract dispute. He returned to London and halted former junior welterweight champion Carlos Hernandez in eight rounds. Then it was back to the Garden for a return go with Laguna.

After Laguna lost the title to Ken he defeated Lloyd Marshall and future champion Chango Carmona. Then he was upset by unheralded Eddie Linder in Miami. Still the rematch with Buchanan came off. This time around Ken won a convincing decision thus ending Laguna’s fabulous career. In 1972 Buchanan won a non title decision over Canada’s Al Ford and took out Andries Steyn of South Africa in another non title bout. On June 26th Ken came back to the Garden to face unbeaten but somewhat untested Roberto Duran of Panama. Many felt Duran would be in over his head but “those in the know” gave Roberto a good chance. It was a good scrap. Duran came at Ken like a wild man forcing him to the ropes often. At times Buchanan seemed overwhelmed by Duran’s aggression. Still when Ken was able to hold his ground he was getting his fair share of shots in. It was a gritty performance by Buchanan. Entering the thirteenth round he was behind but far from finished. Late in the round with Ken backed in to ropes he crumbled to the canvas in obvious pain from what he said was a low blow. Veteran referee Johnny LoBianco was behind Duran and did not see it. He ruled it a knockdown. There was no way Ken could continue and the title was awarded to Duran. Photos later showed a punch did land in the groin area. It did not matter as Ken was now an ex-champion.

Buchanan clamored for a rematch with Duran. Later in the year Duran was dropped and decisioned by the superb Esteban DeJesus in a non title match. Now Roberto was focused on getting DeJesus back in the ring. Ken would have to wait his turn. Buchanan would set out to prove he deserved an opportunity to get his title back. He finished 1972 by ending the career of Carlos Ortiz after six rounds at the Garden. He stayed in New York long enough to batter Korean Chang-Kil Lee for two rounds. In 1973 Buchanan defeated future world champion Jim Watt in fifteen rounds to regain the British title. He then copped verdicts over Frankie Otero and Hector Matta. Then he stopped Edwin Malave and Otero in a rematch. In 1974 Ken continued his win streak. He won a decision over Jose Peterson and halted Joe Tetteh. Next he captured the European lightweight title with a sixth round stoppage of Antonio Puddu. He then defended that title by beating Leonard Tavarez for the third time.

In March of 1974 Roberto Duran knocked out Esteban DeJesus in the eleventh round to defend his world title. He had also gained his sweet revenge. By the end of 1974 Buchanan was the logical foe for Duran. Since his loss to Roberto he had reeled off thirteen straight wins with nine of those by knockout. Still the Duran camp refused to give Ken his well earned rematch. It was a sad and frustrating situation for the proud Buchanan. In 1975 Ken challenged Japan’s Guts Suzuki for his WBC version of the lightweight title. Everyone knew Roberto was the real champion. He had already knocked out Suzuki a few years before he won the WBC crown. Still Buchanan figured if he held the other piece of the title Duran would have to fight him. In what many considered an upset, Suzuki outfought Ken to win a fair decision and retain his title. Suzuki would then lose his title to DeJesus thus setting up the Duran – DeJesus rubber match.

Buchanan was again left out in the cold. He would come back to defend his European title taking out Italy’s Giancarlo Usai in twelve rounds. Then Ken would stay away from the ring until 1979. Upon his return he would score two wins and then challenge Charlie Nash in an attempt to regain the European lightweight title. Nash would be awarded a close but unanimous twelve round decision. That loss pretty much finished Ken for any consideration as a title challenger. He posted two minor wins in 1980. In 1981 he lost decisions to Steve Early, Langton Tinago and Lance Williams. His career came to a close in 1982 when he lost an eight rounder to George Feeney.

Ken finished with a magnificent record of 61-8. He recorded 27 knockouts and was halted only once. When he fought Suzuki in 1975 he entered the ring with a sterling 56-2 record. After the loss to Suzuki he went 5-5. To this day I will never understand why the Duran brain trust refused to fight Ken again. It was most unfair to this wonderful fighter. Buchanan was recognized for his fine career in 2000 when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.