ex lightweight ken buchanan ,statement

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Legend ponders ring return at 63

British boxing legend Ken Buchanan says he could make a return to the ring at the age of 63.

The former world lightweight champion, regarded by many experts as the greatest British boxer of all time, says he needs to return to make money.

"I would be the oldest professional world champion ever to make a comeback," he told 5 Live Sport.

"It wouldn't be a legal fight, it would be white-collar boxing. I've got to do it, it's the only way to make money."

The Scot, who will be 64 on 28 June, won the WBA lightweight title in 1970 and became undisputed world champion in 1971.

He says he has already been in talks with unlicenced promoters about a comeback and has been sparring with young hopefuls at the Sparta boxing club in Edinburgh.

Buchanan would have no hope of getting a licence from the British Boxing Board of Control, which regulates professional fights, but insists he would not need one.

"A lot of people will say I can't get a licence but I don't want a licence," said the Scot, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2000.
"I'd just go to the white-collar boxing people, who I was talking to. They really wanted to hold it in Scotland but I want to go down south. It's all just talk at the moment but I won't be afraid to go through with it."

White-collar boxing first came to prominence in the United States in the mid-1990s, when men and women from white-collar professions trained to fight at special events.

The World White Collar Boxing Association was set up in 2007 to try and regulate and promote the sport.

Buchanan admits a comeback could be fraught with danger.

"I've got a broken back and shouldn't even be in a gym because I'm on pain killers for the rest of my life," he said.

"The only way you can make that money is to make a comeback. I can't work, I could never get employed anywhere.

"I know it's stupid but it will work out ok. I'm in good nick, it's difficult to give it up."
Buchanan is determined to make a comeback in order to fund a legal challenge after an Edinburgh newspaper claimed he sold his five championship belts earlier this year because he needed the money.

Buchanan insists he actually sold the Lonsdale, European, WBC, WBA and Ring magazine belts to businessman Willie Garriok so they could be exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland.
The Scot was undisputed lightweight champion until 1972, when he relinquished his title to Roberto Duran after a controversial below-the-belt punch.

The Panamanian, widely regarded as the greatest lightweight of all time, has said Buchanan was his toughest-ever opponent.

Buchanan has struggled to find a purpose in life since retiring from boxing in 1982. He set up a hotel business, which failed, and worked as a joiner.

He has gone through two divorces and is still battling alcohol problems.

"I tried the AA but couldn't take it. It (alcohol) has played a big part in my life, caused the break up of my second marriage. It has been a problem for a while."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8045511.stm