Joe Bugner dies at 76.
To all outward appearances Joe Bugner bore no resemblance to the traditional image of a heavyweight boxer because he had far too many pounds of flesh around his waist and was just ridiculously overweight. And yet we made allowances for the flabby midriff and the unmistakable fat that accompanied him on his epic journey to the top of British heavyweight boxing. Bugner though was always upbeat, jovial and good humoured about his appearance because the boxing aficionados accepted him for who he was and so did his loyal public.
Bugner was a formidable opponent, a giant of a prize fighter who embraced his sport with a passion and appetite that always stood him in good stead for all his major fights. Bugner was Hungarian and never shied away from any of the difficult obstacles that had to be overcome. He loved the big occasions because he was indeed, the ultimate showman, almost an exhibitionist at times. He was never underestimated since he always made the most memorable of all entrances into the ring.
There was something very endearing about Joe Bugner because there was an earthiness and authenticity about his rugged approach to the sweet science of the boxing trade. Bugner oozed controlled aggression inside the ring and none could argue with his credentials. He may have been criticised quite unfairly about some of his more unorthodox tactics but Bugner's relationship with boxing's promoters and agents never became strained or problematic.
During the 1970s, Bugner came face to face with some of the toughest and most troublesome opponents in a way that must have inspired generations of youngsters who could only hope to imitate him. There was a beefy robustness about him, an enormous upper body strength and a remarkable stamina to stay the distance. His confrontations with Henry Cooper and the often invincible Muhammad Ali left us with some of boxing's most intriguing contests as he built up his repertoire of cunning upper cuts that looked like rabbit punches but were strategically unleashed to make the most effective impact.
Essentially, though, he was a much loved character and although ridiculed for what looked like chubbiness, Bugner was in the vanguard of boxing's best and finest. His classic fight with Ali will be genuinely remembered for both its novelty value and the total mismatch air of the encounter. Bugner, perhaps attracted only by the lucrative nature of the pay off on the night of the fight, was simply motivated by a simple desire to bump up his now substantial bank balance.
We will look back on Bugner's career with the fondness it undoubtedly deserves if only because it fully merits repeated mentions in dispatches. The man from Hungary, oozing confidence and conviction at every level of his sport, may have been accused of being over ambitious, perhaps even delusional in his belief that boxing was a sport designed for heroes and he may have been absolutely right.
Joe Bugner had guts, an enduring love of boxing and just wanted to be acclaimed as one of boxing's most purest exponents, a man who knew all about sport and its endless capacity to thrill before dropping into complete obscurity. Tonight we will honour the esteemed likes of Bugner because he may well slip off our radar and never be recognised for his charm offensive. He was, though, a one man publicity machine at times because respect and greater global recognition somehow eluded him. But here's a toast to the man himself . Boxing will undoubtedly miss you Joe Bugner.
