Ken Buchanan to make boxing comeback

[Twinkle Toes]

I kid you not:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 312003.ece

Legendary former lightweight world champion Ken Buchanan has confirmed he hopes to return to the ring at the age of 63 despite admitting it is a "stupid" idea.

The Scot turns 64 next month but revealed he needs to start fighting again, reportedly to raise funds for a legal dispute.

Buchanan would have no hope of gaining a British Boxing Board of Control licence and is therefore keen to get involved in white-collar boxing - an unlicensed semi-professional version of the sport. "I would be the oldest professional world champion ever to make a comeback," he said. "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.

"A lot of people will say I can't get a licence but I don't want a licence. 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."

Buchanan, who was undisputed lightweight world champion until a controversial defeat by Roberto Duran in 1972, admits a comeback is not a good idea but vowed to go through with it anyway. "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 okay. I'm in good nick, it's difficult to give it up."

[Gazmac81]

thats mental , i would like think if hes fighting then there is someone of similiar age and condition
surely it wont happen though

Not nice to see

[Coco]

I imagine as he will be the name fighter they won't be looking to get poor Ken beat up

[black panther]

Surely he could get a job as a trainer? I know you have to apply for a licence but with his background you would think he could get one......but very sad to hear such a great fighter struggling at this late stage in his life. I hope someone out there can help him because at 64 who the hell would he fight?

[EddieShredder]

Incredibly sad when you hear news like this

[Gazmac81]

what about Buchanan vs Watt 2

Joking aside its a farce if he pulls on the gloves

I imagine as he will be the name fighter they won't be looking to get poor Ken beat up

[J]

dont reckon it will happen.

So he states he needs the cash but didnt sell his belts for money and is suing someone for saying so? Yet he is willing tp put his health at risk to rasie cash to sue the paper that said he needed the money.

Err Ken you have just come out and said you need the money...cant see you winning the court case mate.

[Gazmac81]

i think hes damaged goods up here though
hes meant to be quite bitter and grumpy man

hes not sky pundit material either
although still a legend in the Boxing world for his achievments

hope he sorts something out.

Surely he could get a job as a trainer? I know you have to apply for a licence but with his background you would think he could get one......but very sad to hear such a great fighter struggling at this late stage in his life. I hope someone out there can help him because at 64 who the hell would he fight?

[Coco]

Surely he could get a job as a trainer? I know you have to apply for a licence but with his background you would think he could get one......but very sad to hear such a great fighter struggling at this late stage in his life. I hope someone out there can help him because at 64 who the hell would he fight?

Trainers earn bugger all and it takes time, to earn money you need to sort your own gym out and invest time in fighters. You won't get a random call off a top fighter and be told here is half a mill for a 8 week training camp

[black panther]

Surely he could get a job as a trainer? I know you have to apply for a licence but with his background you would think he could get one......but very sad to hear such a great fighter struggling at this late stage in his life. I hope someone out there can help him because at 64 who the hell would he fight?

Trainers earn bugger all and it takes time, to earn money you need to sort your own gym out and invest time in fighters. You won't get a random call off a top fighter and be told here is half a mill for a 8 week training camp

Yes I know you can't just jump in as a trainer for top fighters but at this point anything but stint back back in the ring would be positive. I didn't mean he could just up and start his own gym but perhaps help out at an existing one? If nothing else, just to keep him busy and off the poison.

[Buncey]

Ken is at the heart of a boxing documentary on BBC Five live tomorrow night (19th) between 8pm and 9pm. Then, from 9pm until 10pm I join Mick Costello for a special Five Live boxing hour. We look at the Ken situation and at a few other issues.

Adios.

[McCannW14]

Ken is at the heart of a boxing documentary on BBC Five live tomorrow night (19th) between 8pm and 9pm. Then, from 9pm until 10pm I join Mick Costello for a special Five Live boxing hour. We look at the Ken situation and at a few other issues.

Adios.

Cheers.

Surely there are a group of fans who can help him out one way or another. He is one of the best fighters we ever had for christ sake. I mean Hatton is a very good fighter and crowd puller. Some estimates say he earned $50m. Meanwhile Ken hasnt got a bean, and beleive me, Ricky as good as he is, is nowhere near Buchanans standard.

Cant someone in Edinburgh or Glasgow sort out a fund rasiing dinner or something?

[DavidPayne]

Hatton v Buchanan is made.

Scott Harrison v Jim Watt on the undercard with special attraction Cooper v Bugner II.

[Chambers2]

It's sad that he thinks he's got to make a comeback even though he knows it's a bad idea.

I wonder what the legal dispute is that he's trying to raise funds for, whatever it is it seems to have got Kens back up if he's willing to step inbetween the ropes again at 63.

Will the funds from a white-collar boxing event be enough as I can't see the promoters being flush with £$£$£$£'s, also would the white-collar promoters want to have a desperate 63 y/o ex-champ on their cards?

[m1kee50]

Cant he do the after dinner of something? or someone put on a card in his benefit, like a testimonial?

[alexpaterson]

No i hope he doesnt do it risking his life with a broken back as said before he could do after dinner speeches or go into training but dont fight

[Poncey]

Incredibly sad when you hear news like this

x2

Anyone else seen the doc of him fighting unlicenced against (I think) a former Brit featherweight champ? Bloody sad, that was.

[bennie]

Yes, it is desperate stuff but Kenny has done this sort of thing before - just a couple of unlicenced paydays to get him out of bother. He certainly does not look 63. He looks about 50, can still make lightweight, has all his marbles and probably forgotten more than most boxers will ever know, certainly white collar boxers (cough, cough). White collar is white collar - no worries for probably the greatest British boxer ever, no worries whatsoever, just a toff or two who wants to be a hooligan for a night in front of his ex-Eton fags. One can hardly compare it to the real thing.
This sort of thing happened with ex-fighters all the time in the old boxing booths but today Britain thinks you are finished once you hit 60. He also exaggerates about his broken back, presumably to liven up the story (he later says he is in "good nick"). I've seen him trotting round Meadowbank on a few Alex Arthur nights recently. He suffered his back injury years ago when our friendly police, presumably to brag to themselves they had 'done' a great fighting name, hurled him down some stairs at a Glasgow nick during Ken's drinking days. Kenny is off the bottle now and has been for years. The last time I heard about him was a year or so ago when Scottish historian Brian Donald saw him at a Sparta amateur boxing show and, almost with a gasp of total disbelief, said "he looks well."

[jonny]

Yes, it is desperate stuff but Kenny has done this sort of thing before - just a couple of unlicenced paydays to get him out of bother. He certainly does not look 63. He looks about 50, can still make lightweight, has all his marbles and probably forgotten more than most boxers will ever know, certainly white collar boxers (cough, cough). White collar is white collar - no worries for probably the greatest British boxer ever, no worries whatsoever, just a toff or two who wants to be a hooligan for a night in front of his ex-Eton fags. One can hardly compare it to the real thing.
This sort of thing happened with ex-fighters all the time in the old boxing booths but today Britain thinks you are finished once you hit 60. He also exaggerates about his broken back, presumably to liven up the story (he later says he is in "good nick"). I've seen him trotting round Meadowbank on a few Alex Arthur nights recently. He suffered his back injury years ago when our friendly police, presumably to brag to themselves they had 'done' a great fighting name, hurled him down some stairs at a Glasgow nick during Ken's drinking days. Kenny is off the bottle now and has been for years. The last time I heard about him was a year or so ago when Scottish historian Brian Donald saw him at a Sparta amateur boxing show and, almost with a gasp of total disbelief, said "he looks well."

Disagree on the age thing i think he looks all of his age i'm afraid.
very very sad story this and as someone as already said probably the best british boxer ever..
These white collar shows are becoming more dangerous if this sort of thing is allowed to go on.

[jimglen]

I was in Glasgow in Sept, Kenny niether looked '50' nor was he sober, nor was I. But I'm not a fighter past or present and Buchanan's had some tough bouts even out of the ring... can he get Strong and in shape enough (?), to even last a good distance, never mind being victorious at it?

Dangerous move and potentially life threatning.

[Quixall]

Looks like Ken has got his wish, that the boxing media are talking about this stunt.......!!!

Now let's await the two page spread in one of the red top newspapers, describing Ken's life, which will give him the few quid that he is looking for, whether it's for a legal dispute or rent money.

Well done Ken, you say you can't get a job.........I'd try some PR, you've got a talent for it

[hitman_hatton1]

Cheers.

Surely there are a group of fans who can help him out one way or another. He is one of the best fighters we ever had for christ sake. I mean Hatton is a very good fighter and crowd puller. Some estimates say he earned $50m. Meanwhile Ken hasnt got a bean, and beleive me, Ricky as good as he is, is nowhere near Buchanans standard.

Cant someone in Edinburgh or Glasgow sort out a fund rasiing dinner or something?

nowhere near.

wouldn't go that far.

[stevieb_8006]

no fool like an old fool

[Rocky Balboa]

I like Buchanan, but this has disaster written all over it! I hope it does not end that way though. Ken is one of the finest fighters Britain has ever produced & I want him to be remembered as such!

FFS, in two years Ken will drawing his OAP!

Maybe he'll call out Duran in a rematch, some 37 years after their first encounter!

Ken says he's in good nick (health wise) but how can you be when you have issues regarding your back such as he has?

Surely a commetary role would be more advisable than this? I wonder if Ken has even explored this avenue?

In terms of the comeback, any promoter out there wants to me make me an offer & I take on the flying Scotsman!

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Can't he do after dinner speaking, or training or write an autobiography or something? White collar is probably the best boxing ring for him to be in, in fairness, not much boxing skill going on