Joe Bugner: Heavyweight Boxer Who Fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier Di

Joe Bugner was a Hungarian-born heavyweight boxer and actor who fought for Britain and later Australia, best known for going the distance with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Born Jozsef Kreul Bugner on March 13, 1950, in Szoreg, Hungary, he became one of the most durable heavyweights of the 1970s.

In 1971 Bugner won a 15-round decision over Henry Cooper to take the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles. He fought Joe Frazier in 1973 and challenged Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, losing a unanimous decision. In 1995 he won the Australian heavyweight title, and in 1998 he won the WBF heavyweight title at age 48, becoming the oldest boxer to hold a world championship belt.

Bugner had three children with his ex-wife Melody and later married Marlene, with whom he opened a vineyard in Australia. He appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2009. He spent his final years with dementia and died at a care home in Brisbane on September 1, 2025, at age 75.

Achievements: Won the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles by beating Henry Cooper (1971), went the distance with Muhammad Ali for the world title (1975), won the Australian heavyweight title (1995), won the WBF heavyweight title at 48 (1998).

Birth: March 13, 1950 - Szoreg, Hungary.

Profession: Heavyweight boxer and actor.

Interesting Facts: After their 1973 fight, Joe Frazier's rival Muhammad Ali said Bugner was capable of becoming world champion. Bugner also appeared in several films.