Aussie Joe Bugner 60th Birthday Tribute Dinner

By Tony Nobbs – Heavyweight boxing icon “Aussie” Joe Bugner celebrates his sixtieth birthday on March 13 and Gold Coast fight promoter will host a special tribute dinner at the Jupiters Casino, Broadbeach.

Special guests will be former opponent and hall of fame heavyweight world champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier and “Aussie” Joe’s good mate, John Singleton.

This will be the first time Frazier has visited the Sunshine State and his presense will no doubt add interest and inspiration to the night..

Bugner and Frazier fought one of 1973’s titanic battles in Earls Court, London with the American winning a close twelve round decision. Referee and sole judge Harry Gibbs scored it Frazier’s way by two points and even the 23 year old Bugner’s harshest UK critics acknowledged his titanic effort.

1964 Olympic heavyweight Gold Medalist Frazier , six years Bugners senior, was of course the first man to defeat Muhummad Ali two years earlier and entered the ring against Bugner with a record of 29 wins -1 loss, with 25 ko’s including four succesful defenses of his WBA and WBC unified crowns.

Bugner’s previous bout he had lost on points over twelve rounds to Ali in Las Vegas, Nevada, by three points on two cards and five on a third. In 1975 he would challenge Ali in Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia, for the heavyweight championship of the world, again losing on points. (Ali reclaimed the title from George Foreman, who defeated Frazier).

Bugner’s status in world boxing grows with time. Being the only man to go the distance with both Frazier and Ali will assure that Joe is remembered as one of the great heavyweights of any era. He is certainly one of – if not the– most underated heavyweight in history. The list of the more notable fighters he bettered, Manuel Ramos, Ray Patterson, Chuck Wepner, Henry Cooper, Jurgen Blin, Ruby Lubbers, Mac Foster, Jimmy Ellis, Richard Dunn, Dino Dennis, Anders Eklund, James Tillis, Greg Page, David Bey, Vinnie Cervi, Col Wilson, Bob Mirovic, Bonecrusher Smith (among this group three claimants to the WBA heavyweight championship of the world!)

Smokin’ Joe retired after a one bout comeback in 1981 with a 32-4-1, 27 knockout record.

Aussie Joe had his last fistic engagement in 1999, finishing with a rock solid 69-13-1, 41 knockouts.

He won the WBF heavyweight title, being the oldest worlld heavyweight champion, in 1998 by TKO 1 over James Bonecrusher Smith – who was the first man to last twelve rounds with Mike Tyson.

*Note: Bugner also lost on points to Frazier’s eldest son, Marvis, who later challenged Larry Holmes for the WBC heavyweight world title.

MC for the night is Alan Jones and comedian Danny Mc Master will be performing. Several star guests will also be present to make the evening a once in a lifetime experience.