Boxer Joe Bugner dies at 75, known for battles with Ali and Frazier

Joe Bugner, the Hungarian born boxer who twice faced Muhammad Ali and fought Joe Frazier during a long career that made him a fixture of 1970s heavyweight boxing, has died at the age of 75, the British Boxing Board of Control said. The board said Bugner passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia and passed on its condolences to his family.

Bugner rose from refugee to contender after his family fled Hungary following the 1956 Soviet invasion and settled in Britain. Born József Kreul Bugner in 1950, he turned professional in 1967 and fought 83 times, finishing with a record widely reported as 69 wins, 13 losses and one draw, including 41 knockouts. He twice held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and was a three time European champion.

The high point of Bugner's profile came in the early 1970s when he outpointed British icon Henry Cooper in 1971 to claim the British, Commonwealth and European belts. He defended the European title soon after, and through the decade he was regularly ranked among the world"s top 10 heavyweights. In 1973 he travelled to Las Vegas to face Muhammad Ali, lasting the 12 rounds and losing on points. That same year he met Joe Frazier...