Thrown to the Wolves

The 80's/90's boxing on TV floodgates were definitely wide open by this time. Pretty dire stuff.

 

Ruben Navarro only had 2-3 days notice when he fought Buchanan for the LtWeight title.
Navarro was a big Lightweight:
height 5′ 8″
reach 71½″

Final Record:
33 W 8 L 2 D

1971-02-12 : Ken Buchanan 134½ lbs beat Ruben Navarro 135 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15

• Location: Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA
• Referee: Arthur Mercante 9-4
• Judge: Harry Gibbs 9-2
• Judge: Lee Grossman 9-4

• WBA World Lightweight Title (the first defense by Buchanan)
• Vacant WBC World Lightweight Title
• Promoter: Aileen Eaton (Olympic Boxing)
• Matchmaker: Don Chargin
• In the original plan, Buchanan was scheduled to fight against Mando Ramos on that day. However, Ramos canceled two days before the fight.

"Buchanan to meet new challenger". The Times. [[London, England, United Kingdom]], [[1971-02-11]]. p.10.

• Ruben Navarro, the third WBA and the fourth WBC contender, fought instead of Ramos.

"W.B.C. say Fight is for Title". Evening Times. (Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom). (1971-02-11).
"WBC approve Buchanan bout". The Glasgow Herald. (Scotland, United Kingdom). (1971-02-12).

• Buchanan was stripped of his WBC title on 25 June 1971, for he chose to next defend against Ismael Laguna instead of Pedro Carrasco.

"Buchanan loses world title". The Times. [[London, England, United Kingdom]], [[1971-06-26]]. p.11.
"Buchanan's (WBC) title withdrawn". The Glasgow Herald. (Scotland, United Kingdom). (1971-06-26).

"Ruben Navarro failed to lift the crown off of world lightweight champion Ken Buchanan of Scotland Friday night at the Sports Arena, losing by a decisive margin. However, Navarro was a hero to most of the 10,360 cheering spectators for gamely launching an opening attack that virtually rushed the surprised Buchanan off his feet. In fact, Buchanan did go down in the first round. Referee Arthur Mercante of NY ruled it no knockdown. Navarro's charges at Buchanan did catch the champion cold, however, and Ruben amazed the cheering fans and the champion by winning the first three rounds. However, midway in the action, Navarro started to tire, and it was then that the dancing and jabbing Buchanan started to pour it on." -Pasadena Star-News

• Navarro took this fight on 72 hours notice after Buchanan's original opponent, Mando Ramos, pulled out with a groin injury.
• Navarro had been scheduled to fight Jimmy Robertson at the Olympic Auditorium on February 25th.
• Navarro had to work out for 5 rounds the day before the fight in order to make 135.
• Navarro was penalized one point in the 6th round for a low blow.
• Unofficial AP scorecard - 10-3 Buchanan
• Unofficial Pasadena Star-News scorecard - 10-4 Buchanan
• Unofficial L.A. Times scorecard - 10-4 Buchanan

Post fight comments

• "I thought I should have had a knockdown in the 1st round. It was a good punch to the chin. He never really hurt me." -Ruben Navarro

• "I was slow and cold at the beginning. I turned my back on his rushes because I wasn't used to this. They wouldn't allow it in England. But I got warmed up and I think the people appreciated good boxing." -Ken Buchanan

• "You're a fine fighter, a good champion and I know of only one man who can beat you - me, when I've had more time to train." -Ruben Navarro to Ken Buchanan in Buchanan's dressing room

Newspaper articles

• Gutteridge, Reg (1971-02-13). "King Ken, World Champion after a shock knock-down". Evening Times. (Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom).
• World Boxing Council (Spanish: Consejo Mundial de Boxeo) Ratings on March 1971

(In Spanish) "Clasificaciones de Marzo Según el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo". El Informador. (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico). (1971-03-11).