Remembering boxing legend ‘Aussie Joe’ Bugner, who took on Ali and Frazier

He’s the boxer that went toe-to-toe with the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and rubbed shoulders with Dean Martin and Tom Jones.

Joe Bugner has passed away at 75.

Bugner was born in Hungary, and his family was forced to flee the country due to the Soviet Union’s invasion, after which he settled in the United Kingdom.

The British public turned on Bugner after his win against national treasure, Henry Cooper in 1971, despite him receiving a points victory.

The tide turned, however, after his move Down Under, where he was affectionately rebranded “Aussie Joe”, and loved by the public for his brazen and funny persona. At his career-best Bugner was ranked among the world’s top 10 heavyweights.