Boxing legend Ken Buchanan has passed away at the age of 77, the Ken Buchanan Foundation has confirmed.
The foundation stated: "It is with great sadness that we have to inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning.
"Further announcements will come and please give the family some time to process this sad news. RIP Ken, always a gentleman and one of the best champions we will ever see."
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Born June 28, 1945, Ken became a professional boxer in 1965. He went on to win the WBA lightweight world title by dethroning Panama's Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rica in 1970, defeating Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles in 1971, and 33 other wins.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said: “Today Edinburgh has lost one of its most renowned sons with the death of boxing legend Ken Buchanan at the age of 77.
“Born in Leith in 1945, Ken Buchanan would go on to become Scotlands first undisputed world champion and was once voted ‘Britain’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ by the Boxing News.
“Ken won a huge local fan base for putting Edinburgh firmly on the map and in 2016 he was presented with the Edinburgh Award. It is very fitting that his famous fighting hands have been immortalised on a flagstone outside the City Chambers.
“Throughout his life, he showed great appreciation for his native city and its people, and just last August crowds gathered to celebrate as a statue of Ken was unveiled at a public ceremony on Leith Walk.
“On behalf of the city, I want to convey heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Ken's family and friends. Our city mourns one of its most celebrated sons. May he rest in peace and I’m sure his legacy will be longstanding."
He retired in 1982, with a 61-9 record. Fellow boxing champion Curtis Woodhouse posted on Twitter: "Ah really sad news about Ken Buchanan.
"This guy could really really fight. A tough man from a tough era. A great champion. Rest in power."
One Twitter user wrote: "Ken Buchanan has passed away. Edinburgh's most underrated son. A statue should be erected to him and he should finally be given the respect he deserved by the city. RIP."
Another added: "Just heard the very sad news Scottish legend Ken Buchanan has passed away RIP Champ."
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