Joe Bugner was a towering figure in heavyweight boxing—literally and historically. Born József Kreul Bugner on 13 March 1950 in Szőreg, Hungary, he fled to the UK with his family after the 1956 Soviet invasion. He later became a naturalised British and Australian citizen, earning the nickname “Aussie Joe” after relocating to Australia in 1986.
🥊 Boxing Career Highlights
- Total fights: 83
- Wins: 69 (41 by KO)
- Losses: 13
- Draws: 1
Bugner was known for his durability and technical skill, often going the distance with legends:
- Fought Muhammad Ali twice, including a grueling 15-round world title bout in Kuala Lumpur in 19753
- Took Joe Frazier the full 12 rounds in 1973, surviving a knockdown
- Defeated Henry Cooper in 1971, controversially ending Cooper’s career and claiming the British, Commonwealth, and European titles
He was ranked among the top 10 heavyweights throughout the 1970s, often behind only Ali, Foreman, and Frazier.
🏆 Titles and Comebacks
- British & Commonwealth Champion (twice)
- European Champion (three times)
- Australian Heavyweight Champion (1995)
- WBF Heavyweight Champion (1998, at age 48)
Bugner retired multiple times, with his final bout in 1999, ending a career that spanned over three decades.
🎬 Acting and Later Life
Outside the ring, Bugner appeared in films—often playing villains—including alongside Bud Spencer and in Street Fighter (1994) with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
He passed away on 1 September 2025, aged 75, in Brisbane, Australia
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