Ken Buchanan was just a bit before my time but I have always been impressed with how well he fought against Roberto Duran. When you watch that fight, you can see the pure class that he had and I can honestly say, I can't recall ever seeing anyone catch Duran with as many counter shots as he did in that fight. He simply didn't have the physicality to keep Duran off but then again, not many did including Jr Middleweights and Middleweights. The brilliant video that @HaZNAgod did shows all of the things that made him special. An amazing jab, exceptional footwork and brilliant counterpunching not to mention having Gil Clancy in his corner. I never knew this until today but I read that on three different occasions he had contracts to fight Duran in a rematch but Duran pulled out everytime. I'm not suggesting that he would have beaten Duran or that Duran was scarred of him but clearly, he was not someone that folks had an easy time with when he was in in his prime. Anyways, enjoy the fantastic video below of a great technical fighters that doesn't get discussed much. This content is protected
Roberto Duran in Ring Magazine said the most skilful boxer he ever faced was Kenny. “Buchanan was one of the great lightweights when it came to tactics and skill. His intelligence made him very difficult to beat even though he wasn’t a very strong opponent. Sugar Ray Leonard was faster and stronger but Buchanan had tremendous skills.” High praise indeed.
What’s the source on this ‘three different contracts’ and Duran pulling out? Ken wanted a rematch. Duran offered him one at $25K in Panama and Ken turned it down (Roberto made about $33.5K in their first fight owing to a large gate as his only guarantee was 15% of the gate). Buchanan fired his manager and later said his erratic career activity after that was of his own doing — he said he had no idea what went into managing and getting fights and merely sat at home waiting for the phone to ring, taking which fights on offer that he liked and turning down others (like the Duran rematch). That’s from Ken’s own mouth later in life. He didn’t mention anything about Duran pulling out of scheduled rematches, at least not in that interview I read some years ago where he confirmed HE turned down the rematch.
was Buchanan 'perhaps' overated a bit. I mean a great boxer, but I never took to him even though I was from Scotland, I had a bit more hope for Sutherland for example... anyway Nationality doesn't come into it, you like or support who you like. but if it wasn't for Duran would Buchanan have had as much spotlight? Yes he had good & great wins, but so did hundreds of fighters. I just think Duran sealed his legacy in the same way that Ray Robinson sealed Turpins or the Movie the Raging Bull aided Jake, that's all.
Below is from Wikipedia. It was two separate times, not three. I still think Duran woukd have won. He certainly was beating Buchanan up but Buchanan was competitive and had a lot of success with counterpunching. On 28 June 1972, Roberto Durán signed to defend it against Buchanan on 20 October 1972. However, Durán broke that agreement when the Panamanian Government insisted he make his first defence in Panama. He did, knocking out Jimmy Robertson on 20 January 1973.[21] Durán also had signed a second contract with the MSG on 25 October 1972, to defend against Buchanan on or before 30 June 1973.[21] Once again Durán broke the agreement, and subsequently had his licence suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission on 4 April 1973. The commission also warned Durán that his title recognition would be withdrawn.[21]
I agree that he is mostly know for the Duran fight. I mean let's face it, Duran is surely one of the greatest fighters of all-time and that was his first major win. With that said, I was impressed with the film of Buchanan. He is a very technically sound fighter that pretty much does everything well. If only he had a little more pop, he likely would have done more. He did beat Carlos Ortiz and Ishmael Lugana twice. He had a solid but not spectacular career from a resume standpoint but it's the tape that I watched that catches my eye.
