KEN BUCHANAN (Part 1)
by Ralph Oates
London, Buchanan was impressive stopping Tonks in round 2 of a contest scheduled for 6. After this debut win Buchanan fought often sharing the ring with the kind of opposition who would give him vital ring experience. On the 23 January 1967 he fought for his first title the Scottish Area lightweight championship of Scotland. At the Central Hotel in Glasgow. Buchanan won the crown when he boxed his way to a 10-round point’s decision over John McMillan. Five more victories followed before Buchanan was pitted against Jim Spike McCormack in an eliminator for the British lightweight title on the 30 October 1967. The venue being The National Sporting Club, Piccadilly, London. This looked to be a testing fight for Buchanan against a ring wise fighter who had accumulated a record of 92 fights, winning 42, losing 38 with 12 drawn. McCormack would not be an easy opponent to get past. On the night Buchanan excelled boxing his way to victory with a 12-round points decision. The Scot was now undefeated in 23 bouts.
Photograph courtesy of Derek Rowe
In this month’s column I have paid tribute to the outstanding Ken Buchanan who sadly passed away on the 1 April 2023 aged 77 years, 9 months and 4 days. There is no doubt that Buchanan was a true boxing great. while a proud Scot he had a very strong connection to Wales, that being in the early stages of his career he was managed by Cardiff born Eddie Thomas the former British, European and Commonwealth welterweight champion he was also the stable mate of Welsh legend Howard Winstone who was also managed by Thomas. Under the guidance of Thomas, Winstone won the WBC world, British and European featherweight titles so the Scot was in good company being guided by a man who really knew the sport. In later years Buchanan, would follow Winstone achieving world honours not at featherweight but at lightweight, eventually becoming the undisputed title holder. In the amateur ranks Buchanan had won the ABA featherweight title in 1965 and as expected turned professional having his first bout against opponent Brian (Rocky) Tonks on the 20 September 1965 the venue being the National Sporting Club, Piccadilly
32 CARDIFF TIMES
The big moment came for Buchanan on the 19 February 1968 when he stepped into the ring at the Hilton Hotel, Mayfair, London to challenge Maurice Cullen for the British lightweight crown. Cullen had won the vacant title on the 8 April 1965 when he outpointed opponent Dave Coventry over 15-rounds and had since defended it successfully on three occasions. So, make no mistake, Cullen was a good champion with a record consisting of 47 bouts winning 40, losing 5 with 2 drawn. It looked as if Buchanan had a difficult task in front of him. Many felt that Cullen would leave the ring on the night as the victor giving Buchanan his first defeat in the paid ranks. However, the Scot showed his class and produced a spectacular performance to take the championship by knocking out Cullen in round 11 of a contest set for 15. This win showed that Buchanan was a little special, but he still had mountains to climb. Winning the British crown was an outstanding achievement but when looking at the global scene there was a number of tough fighters who would provide the Scot with stern opposition. The question was would Buchanan be able to compete with them on equal terms when the time arrived. The Scot next entered the fray on the 22 April 1968 against Frenchman Leonard Tavarez a man who knew his way around the ring and looked more than capable of giving the British champion a tough night. The two squared up at the National Sporting Club Piccadilly in London. At the end of eight keenly contested rounds the Scot emerged with a point’s victory.
