by James Slater – In shocking news, it has been revealed by BBC 5 Live Sport that former world lightweight champion Ken Buchanan of Scotland is planning to make a return to the ring at the advanced age of 63. It gets worse; the man most fans know for his losing fight against the great Roberto Duran turns 64 next month!
Buchanan, who was world champion from 1970 until his ill-fated meeting with “Hands Of Stone” in June of 1972, has been speaking to the radio show 5 Live and he said he realises the comeback idea is “stupid,” but that he needs the money. The long retired Hall of Famer also said he realises he will stand no chance at all of getting a proper boxing license at his current age, and that he is looking into coming back for some white-collar boxing as opposed to legal boxing.
“I would be the oldest professional world champion ever to make a comeback,” Buchanan said. “It wouldn’t be a legal fight, it would be white-collar boxing. I’ve got to do it, it’s the only way I can make money.”
Buchanan explained why fighting again is the only way he can earn himself sufficient money.
“I’ve got a broken back and shouldn’t even be in a gym because I’m on pain killers for the rest of my life,” Ken said. “The only way you can make that money is to make a comeback. I can’t work, I could never get employed anywhere. I know it’s stupid but it will work out okay. I’m in good nick, it’s difficult to give it [boxing] up.”
As stunning and unrealistic as this news and Buchanan’s plans are, it could happen, unfortunately. Only last year we saw a 60-year-old Saoul Mamby back in the boxing ring (he lost). And the latest one-time great of the sport who is prepared to risk his health in the ring while at an advanced age says he has already been in touch with organisers of white-collar boxing.
“A lot of people will say I can’t get a licence but I don’t want a licence,” he said. “I’d just go to the white-collar boxing people, who I was talking to. They really wanted to hold it in Scotland but I want to go down south. It’s all just talk at the moment but I wouldn’t be afraid to go through with it.”
If Buchanan, who last fought in January of 1982 (a loss), really did climb back into a ring – any ring – at the age of 63 or 64, it would make the last “Rocky” film look like a not so farfetched idea after all!
Buchanan retired in 1982, and his record is 61-8(27).