Former heavyweight contender Joe Bugner dies at 75

British heavyweight contender Joe Bugner has died. He was 75.

The Guardian has reported that the two-time British and Commonwealth and three-time European champion was most prolific during the boxing golden age in the 1970s. However, he never earned a legitimate world title belt.

The British Boxing Board of Control has since issued a statement in honor of the loss of talent:

"It is with great sadness that the former British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, and world championship contender Joe Bugner has passed away at his care home in Brisbane, Australia," the statement read. "The British Boxing Board of Control passes on its condolences to Joe's family."

Joe Bugner's life and legacy explored as tributes come pouring in:

Per BBC, Joe Bugner was most known for consistently clocking in on the world's top 10 heavyweights all through the 1970s. He was most renowned for his technical ability, strength, and resilience.

His career spanned 32 years and 83 fights, during which time he took on the likes of Earnie Shavers, Henry Cooper, and Frank Bruno. The latter called it a "sad day for boxing," while Frank Warren, the Queensberry promoter, also paid his respects:

"He participated in the first fight I did on ITV - a great man who will be missed. I'm sending my regards to his family. May he rest in peace," said Warren.

According to ESPN, he famously took on Muhammad Ali in 1875, only to lose out on a few points in Kuala Lumpur. He fought the famed icon another time, only to have victory elude him once again.

He was born in Hungary, though he shifted to the United Kingdom when he was just a child, along with his family. They reportedly fled amid the 1956 Soviet invasion.

Frank Buno also took to X to offer his condolences:

"RIP Joe Bugner just heard sad news of the passing of Joe we spent quite a bit of time together around the time of my fight with him he was a character and played Mr bad guy when we did the promotion for the fight. He had a long career and fought many great heavyweights including Muhammad Ali twice, Joe Frazier, Henry Cooper sad day for boxing," he wrote.

Sky News has reported that Joe Bugner retired at the age of 49, right after he emerged victorious against Levi Billups on Australia's Gold Coast in 1999.

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