Joe Bugner
Great Britain
Boxing
B: March 13, 1950
WBF Champion
Bugner was born in Hungary and moved to Britain while still a boy. He won the
1964 national junior championship in the discus throw. Bugner turned professional
in 1967 in a losing debut against Paul Brown. After his debut he went on to stop
12 of his next 13 opponents. This included four one-round wins. He alienated the
majority of British boxing fans by his defensive boxing style and also by winning
the British, Empire and European titles from the national favorite, Henry Cooper
in a controversial victory in 1971. There were no judges and the fight was scored
by the referee, Harry Gibbs. Bugner won by a 1/4 point. Bugner went against both
Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, each time he lost on points. He also lost to Joe Frazier's
son Marvis Frazier 13 years later, also on points. The fight with Smokin’ Joe in
1974 at Earls Court in London was deemed a classic. Bugner took a count in the fight,
but managed to "shake" Frazier later on in the contest. In 1986 he moved
to Australia, and won the Australian heavyweight title by a points victory over Vince
Cervi. He won the lightly regarded 'WBF' version of the heavyweight crown in 1998,
by defeating James "Bonecrusher" Smith. At the age of 49 years and a 110
days, it made him the oldest ever boxer to hold a world championship belt. His record
for 83 professional fights is 69 wins (41 on knockouts), 13 Loses and 1 Draw. He
last fought in June 1999 beating Levi Billups, who was disqualified for low blows.
SUPERSTARS RECORD
| EVENT |
PLACE |
POINTS |
MONEY |
EVENT WINS |
| 1973 British Final |
3 |
25 |
£750 |
Shooting, Weight Lifting |
| TOTALS |
25 |
£750 |
2 |
PERSONAL BESTS
| Shooting |
82 |
1973 British Final |
| Weight Lifting |
220 |
1973 British Final |
| Gym Test - Squat Thrusts |
68 |
1973 British Final |
| Points Scored |
25 |
1973 British Final |