Joe Bugner, Boxer Who Fought Muhammad Ali, Dies at 75
- - Joe Bugner, Boxer Who Fought Muhammad Ali, Dies at 75
Natasha DyeSeptember 2, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Terry Disney/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty
Joe Bugner on Nov. 21, 1972 -
Former heavyweight boxer Joe Bugner died at age 75 at his home in Brisbane, Australia
Bugner competed for 32 years, taking on legendary boxers like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier during his career
One of his opponents, Frank Bruno, said the loss is a "sad day for boxing"
Joe Bugner, a former heavyweight boxer, has died at age 75.
The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed Bugner's death in a statement on Monday, Sept 1.
"It is with great sadness that the Former British, European, Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion and World Championship contender Joe Bugner has passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia," the board said, adding that it "passes on its condolences to Joe's family."
Bugner was born in Hungary before relocating to England with his parents in 1956. He competed as a professional boxer for 32 years, taking on some of the sport's biggest names like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
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Joe Bugner in 1974
Frank Warren, the legendary boxing promoter and manager who founded Queensberry Promotions, paid tribute to Bugner in a post on X.
"Sad news to hear of the passing of Joe Bugner, former British, European and Commonwealth Champion, and a man who went the distance with both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier," Warren, 73, wrote.
"He also participated in the first fight I did on ITV - a great man who will be missed," Warren continued. "I'm sending my regards to his family. May he rest in peace."
In 1975, Bugner fought Ali for the heavyweight world title, where he was defeated in a 15-round unanimous decision in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Bugner also fought legendary boxers Frank Bruno and Henry Cooper over the span of his career. In total, Bugner won 69 matches.
Bruno, 63, reacted to the news of Bugner's passing in a Monday post on X.
"RIP Joe Bugner just heard sad news of the passing of Joe we spent quite a bit of time together around the time of my fight with him he was a character and played Mr bad guy when we did the promotion for the fight," Bruno wrote.
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"He had a long career and fought many great heavyweights including Muhammad Ali twice, Joe Frazier, Henry Cooper," he continued, noting, "sad day for boxing."
According to The Guardian, Bugner's life outside of boxing included golfing with celebrity pal Dean Martin. He also worked on several films, serving as an expert adviser on Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe and appearing in the 1994 movie Street Fighter.
on People
Source: “AOL AOL Sports”
