BBC Scotland to show Buchanan vs Watt -July 3rd

[IRONFIST]

Two Scottish Boxing Legends Return To TV Screens Next Month

By Ron Lewis
Published On Fri Jun 26, 2020, 01:42 AM EST


Two legends of Scottish boxing are to come back to television screens next month as BBC Scotland plans to fill the gap brought about by a lack of live sport by showing the classic 15-round battle between Ken Buchanan and Jim Watt.

The British lightweight title fight from 1973 will be the first in a series of iconic Scottish sporting moments, featuring Andy Murray’s Wimbledon successes and Olympic glory for Chris Hoy and Rhona Howie.

The fight stands out because it featured a former and a future world champion. Buchanan won the world lightweight title in 2970, losing it to Roberto Duran at Madison Square Garden in 1972, while Watt won the WBC lightweight title in 1979, losing it to Alexis Arguello two years later.


The fight took place in January 1973, just seven months after Buchanan lost to Duran. Watt, who was making the first defence of the title, was having his 18th professional bout.

Incredibly, while the fight featured two all-time greats of Scottish boxing, there was only an audience of about 700 in attendance.

It took place on the opening night of the St Andrew’s Sporting Club at the Albany Hotel in Glasgow. It was al all-male audience, all dressed in formal dining suits, which had just been served a traditional Burns’ Night dinner of haggis. The club is still going strong nearly 50 years later, although the Albany Hotel, once the swankiest place to stay in Glasgow, was demolished in 2007.

It was the last time that Buchanan ever boxed in Scotland, although Watt’s greatest moments would also come in Glasgow, as he won the WBC title by beating Alfredo Pitalua at Kelvin Hall in 1979 and then beat Howard Davis Jr outdoors at Ibrox Park the following year.

While a grainy version of the Buchanan-Watt fight can be seen on YouTube, the BBC screening, will restore the fight to its former glory. It will be shown on BBC Scotland on Friday July 3 and also will be available on the BBC iPlayer.

[Stuarty]

Excellent. Will definitely be tuning in to this.

[THEBUTCH]

BBC

Definitely will be watching this.

A 2020 round by round would be interesting.

[bennie]

Kenny really wanted this one because it won him a Lonsdale Belt outright. He was obviously too experienced for Watt in 1973 but they nearly met again several years later when Watt held the WBC lightweight title. If Kenny had beaten Charlie Nash in a European title encounter in 1979, the rematch was on. Sadly, Buchanan got robbed of the decision in Denmark and Nash got the shot instead. Watt destroyed the Irishman in his greatest ever display.

[PredatorHayds]

It really is a total disgrace that Buchanan lost the Duran fight in a low blow and never got a rematch. I believe duran said it was one of his toughest fights

Ken fought well but personally I had Duran a mile ahead on the scorecards.

[IRONFIST]

Just a reminder this will be shown tomorrow at 7pm ( BBC Scotland - Channel 876 for Sky platform)

[THEBUTCH]

Also going to be on the I-player.

[TheLeprechaun]

They should show replays of big fights on terrestrial tv. The likes of Ali Frazier, Hearns Hagler etc.

[handsofstone]

Really good competitive fight, some great exchanges, both men looked good leading and countering each other, Buchanan experience sees out the win

[bennie]

Buchanan and Watt were not friends in 1973.

[ILikeBeer]

Going to watch this with a tinny tonight.

[ShadrachSimmo]

They should show replays of big fights on terrestrial tv. The likes of Ali Frazier, Hearns Hagler etc.

Even some classic British title bouts wouldn’t go amiss. There’s plenty to choose from over the past 40 Odd years of televised boxing.

[ILikeBeer]

They should show replays of big fights on terrestrial tv. The likes of Ali Frazier, Hearns Hagler etc.

Even some classic British title bouts wouldn’t go amiss. There’s plenty to choose from over the past 40 Odd years of televised boxing.

Had a couple of cans whilst watching that.

Wouldn't mind there being more classic 1970s British fights like last night. Some of the lesser shown ones.

[ShadrachSimmo]

Even some classic British title bouts wouldn’t go amiss. There’s plenty to choose from over the past 40 Odd years of televised boxing.

Had a couple of cans whilst watching that.

Wouldn't mind there being more classic 1970s British fights like last night. Some of the lesser shown ones.

I noticed they skipped a few rounds it was edited quite well though.

Watt performed well in the mid rounds Buchanan seemed to let him back in to it after a good start, his movement and defence wained a bit. A strong finish earned Buchanan the win though. Would have been interesting had they fought 6 or 7 years later when their paths almost crossed again and Jim was world champ.

[evrenb]

Damn I missed this! Any signs of a repeat??

[IRONFIST]

Damn I missed this! Any signs of a repeat??

It should be on BBC iplayer

[IRONFIST]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000klz8

[evrenb]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000klz8

Hey thank you

[IRONFIST]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000klz8

Hey thank you

No probs sir. It was better than I thought it would be. Very good work rate by both.

[evrenb]

Even some classic British title bouts wouldn’t go amiss. There’s plenty to choose from over the past 40 Odd years of televised boxing.

Had a couple of cans whilst watching that.

Wouldn't mind there being more classic 1970s British fights like last night. Some of the lesser shown ones.

This is a good one I posted

[ShadrachSimmo]

Hey thank you

No probs sir. It was better than I thought it would be. Very good work rate by both.

There wasn’t much in the way of clinching or spoiling. Both men were superbly fit and fought with cuts and like you say good engines.

[evrenb]

No probs sir. It was better than I thought it would be. Very good work rate by both.

There wasn’t much in the way of clinching or spoiling. Both men were superbly fit and fought with cuts and like you say good engines.

Well I got a night at my mother's tonight and as she hardly talks to me anymore I'll stick it on lol

[ILikeBeer]

Had a couple of cans whilst watching that.

Wouldn't mind there being more classic 1970s British fights like last night. Some of the lesser shown ones.

This is a good one I posted

[evrenb]

I watched the Watt vs Buchanan fight last night...with my dear mother. The footage and quality was amazing. The BBC boxing footage from that period is far superior to the USA films of the same era imo. The atmosphere was strange as it wasnt a traditional venue. A hotel venue. Because of the low crowd noise and the fabulous quality of film it's almost like you are there. Really really enjoyed it. Watts purse was £4000 and Buchanan's £2500. Small money, but as my dear mother said (about 7 times ) that would have paid for this house back on 1972!
Putting that into context with the fight of the century the year before; Ali and Frazier earned 2.5 million each (dollars). Incredible.
You could feel every punch and it turned out to be a tough and gruelling encounter, though not spectacular. Thanks for the link!

[dookus]

Incredibly interesting watch, and a really good fight to boot. Two classic British styles from fighters at the top of their game. Fitness-wise, both men put most modern fighters to shame. (As indeed would many British fighters of that period.) And what a great, hard, accurate southpaw jab Watt had - there were periods of the fight where he was just landing it at will on Buchanan.

Also, considering there was supposed to be a fierce rivalry between the fighters beforehand, Buchanan's words after the fight are quite striking viewing in 2020. You wouldn't hear a post-fight speech like that, nor such solidarity with a fellow professional, from today's gobshites.