01 April 2023 , 14:01
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Scottish boxing legend Ken Buchanan has passed away at the age of 77.
The devastating news comes a year after his son announced that Buchanan had been diagnosed with dementia.
Buchanan, who fought 69 times in an illustrious career, made history by becoming Scotland's first undisputed world champion and to many he was the country's greatest ever boxer.
Buchanan's professional career got off to an absolute flier, winning 33 consecutive rights before he eventually hung up his gloves in 1982 with a brilliant 61-9 record. This included 27 victories by knockout.
His death was confirmed by The Ken Buchanan Foundation on Saturday: "It is with great sadness that we have to inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning."
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The statement added: "Further announcements will come and please give the family some time to process this sad news. RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see."
It was in 1971 when Buchanan became Scotland's first undisputed world champion by winning the WBC crown with a win over Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles.
It was only until 2021 when the achievement was matched as Josh Taylor repeated the feat with victory over Jose Ramirez.
Ken Buchanan goes down as arguably Scotland's greatest ever boxer (Daily Mirror)Tributes have flooded in from boxing fans, and Taylor himself penned an emotional message following Buchanan's passing.
He wrote on Twitter: "I’m saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero & scotland’s greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from. RIP Ken Buchanan."
Buchanan had been inducted into the international boxing Hall of Fame in 2000, and he was honoured with a statue in his home city of Edinburgh just last year.