 |
Joe Bugner | |
|---|---|
 Bugner (left) during a boxing match | |
| Born | József Kreul Bugner 13 March 1950 |
| Nationality | Hungarian British Australian |
| Other names | Aussie Joe |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Reach | 82 in (208 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 83 |
| Wins | 69 |
| Wins by KO | 43 |
| Losses | 13 |
| Draws | 1 |
József Kreul Bugner (born 13 March 1950) is a Hungarian born British–Australian former professional boxer who competed in the heavyweight division and actor. He holds triple nationality, originally being a citizen of Hungary and a naturalised citizen of both Australia and the United Kingdom. He unsuccessfully challenged Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight championship in 1975, losing by a unanimous decision. As an actor, he is best known for his role in the 1994 action film Street Fighter alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia.[citation needed]
Born in Szőreg, a southeastern suburb of Szeged in southern Hungary, Bugner and his family fled after the 1956 Soviet invasion and settled in Britain. Standing at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) with a prime weight of 225 pounds (102 kg),[1] Bugner twice held the British and British Commonwealth heavyweight titles and was a three-time European heavyweight champion.[2] He was ranked among the world's top ten heavyweights of the 1970s, fighting such opponents as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ron Lyle, Jimmy Ellis, Manuel Ramos, Chuck Wepner, Earnie Shavers, Henry Cooper, Brian London, Mac Foster, Rudie Lubbers, Eduardo Corletti, Jurgen Blin and George Johnson.[3] The Telegraph also ranked him among the top ten British heavyweight boxers of all time.[4]
Bugner retired from boxing in 1976 but made sporadic comebacks over the next two decades with varying success. He moved to Australia in 1986, adopting the nickname "Aussie Joe," beating fighters such as Greg Page, David Bey, Anders Eklund and James Tillis before retiring again after a TKO loss to Frank Bruno in 1987.[citation needed] He made a final comeback during the 1990s, winning the Australian heavyweight title in 1995 and the lightly regarded World Boxing Federation (WBF) heavyweight championship in 1998 at the age of 48 against James "Bonecrusher" Smith. He retired for the last time in 1999 with a final record of 69–13–1, including 43 wins by knockout.[citation needed]
- ^ William Oscar Johnson (25 May 1987). "Joe Bugner is Down Under looking for a title shot - 05.25.87 - SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
- ^ Roger Bamber (25 May 1987). "Joe Bugner the Hungarian born British heavyweight champion boxer, kissing his wife". Alarmy. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ Mike Goodpaster (14 November 2022). "Top 10 Heavyweight of the 1970s". The Grueling Truth. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ Gareth A. Davies (24 April 2017). "Top 10 British Heavyweight Boxers of All Time". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 June 2023.