Ken Buchanan, Scotland’s first undisputed world champion and arguably the country’s greatest boxer, has died at the age of 77.

The Ken Buchanan Foundation confirmed the Edinburgh native’s death on Saturday, a year after his son Mark said his father had been diagnosed with dementia.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep,” read a statement. “RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see.”

Having turned professional in 1965, Buchanan memorably won the WBA lightweight world title by dethroning Panama’s Ismael Laguna in the scorching heat of Puerto Rico in 1970.

That same year, the Scot was the American Boxing Writers’ Association’s Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

‘Buchanan’s world title win was best by Briton’

He defeated Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles in 1971 to take the WBC crown and become Scotland’s first undisputed world champion, a feat only matched 50 years later by Josh Taylor.

Buchanan, who topped the bill six times at New York’s famous Madison Square Garden arena, won his first 33 professional fights and retired in 1982 with a 61-9 record, including 27 wins by knockout.

He was Inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in 2000, and a statue of Buchanan was unveiled in Leith in his home city of Edinburgh last year to honour his storied boxing career.

He had been living In an Edinburgh care home prior to his death, with his son saying the dementia was likely “a result of his sport”.

Fellow Edinburgh boxer and world champion Josh Taylor: “It’s a very, very sad day. My very first coach was one of his sons, Raymond. My condolences go out to him and all of Ken’s family – they are putting to rest a true Scottish legend.

“Everything he did, and the way he did it, away from home. There will never be another man like him, so it’s a sad day, and I hope the nation can give this guy the send-off that he truly deserves.

“I just used to love hearing his stories, the way he used to train and live his life. I loved taking on bits of advice from him, and he was a real hero of mine

“I’m so proud and honoured to have the same titles as him, to follow in his footsteps. He’s a massive inspiration to me, and he’ll always be remembered as Scotland’s greatest ever.”

Former world champion Barry McGuigan: “So very sorry to hear of the death of the amazing Ken Buchanan. He was an outlier with his unique boxing style and he was a fabulous man. God bless you, Ken.”

BBC Radio 5 Live boxing’s Steve Bunce: “Ken Buchanan was a great fighter and a great human. It was a privilege to know him. Loved and adored. The King of the Garden. Gone forever.” (BBC)

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