Joe Bugner, heavyweight who twice fought Muhammad Ali, dies at 75

Joe Bugner, a durable heavyweight who twice went the distance with Muhammad Ali and also fought Joe Frazier, has died. He was 75, the British Boxing Board of Control said Monday, announcing that Bugner died at his care home in Brisbane, Australia.

Bugner, who was born in Hungary and later became a British citizen, rose to prominence in the early 1970s and held British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles during his career. He drew controversy in Britain after a contentious points victory over national favorite Henry Cooper in 1971 that prompted Cooper’s retirement. Bugner lost those belts later that year but had regained the European title by the time he met Ali for the first time.

Bugner faced Muhammad Ali in a non-title bout in Las Vegas in 1973, with Ali prevailing on points. Five months later he fought Joe Frazier at Earl’s Court in London and again went the distance, losing a decision. The two men met again in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur in a world-title fight; Ali retained his crown on a 15-round decision.

Prominent for his toughness and ability to last full fights against top opposition, Bugner regularly tested the era’s leading heavyweights even when he did not come away with victories. His willingness to meet the sport’s elite on neutral venues helped establish him as a fixture of the international heavyweight scene during a competitive period for the division.

Bugner’s victory over Cooper in 1971 earned him the British, Commonwealth and European crowns, but the decision was disputed by some observers and fans and complicated his relationship with parts of the British public. Despite that, he continued to fight at a high level, earning marquee bouts that included world-class opponents and appearances in major arenas and international venues.

He spent his later years away from the ring. The British Boxing Board of Control provided the announcement of his death but did not release additional details beyond the location at a Brisbane care home. Tributes from the boxing community and remembrances of his career were expected to follow as promoters, historians and former fighters reflected on his role in a storied era of heavyweight boxing.

Bugner’s career is marked by his encounters with some of boxing’s most famous figures and by his tenacity in the ring. He will be remembered for meeting the sport’s leading heavyweights and for his place in heavyweight boxing history during the 1970s.