Boxing hero steps onto red carpet for biopic premiere

LEGENDARY Capital boxer Ken Buchanan has announced that he is to step through the ropes one more time.

Far from lacing up his gloves for an unlikely return, however, he will tomorrow be stepping on to a red carpet at the premiere of a new documentary film about his life, entitled The Boxer From Somewhere Else.

The former world, European and British lightweight champion, from Northfield, has teamed up with young Edinburgh filmmaker Jamie Steedman to lay his life story down on film for posterity.

Buchanan, 67, has the distinguished honour alongside Lennox Lewis of being the only living British fighters to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame,

He fought 69 professional fights during his career and an incredible 64 of those bouts took place outwith Scotland – an extraordinary feat for a boxer and perfect for the naming of a film.

He said: “I received a call from Jamie saying that he’d like to make a film. We met up, he explained it and I agreed straight away.

“The name I think is great because I hardly even fought in Scotland, let alone my hometown.

“One of my biggest regrets from boxing is that I never fought in Edinburgh. In my entire career I only ever had four fights in Scotland. I’d love to have fought in Edinburgh.

“Hopefully this film premiere may go some way to putting that right.

“I hope any young boxers coming through watch the film and learn from my mistakes. I got some terrible advice in my career and was mistreated badly by promoters.”

After career highs which saw him beat the Panamanian Ismael Laguna on points in the steaming heat of San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1970 and his British title victory against future world champion Jim Watt in 1973, Buchanan’s career petered out with some sorry defeats, and his latter years have been dogged by domestic, health and money problems.

Now a pensioner, the former great still spars and trains three times a week at Lochend Amateur Boxing Club.

Filmmaker Jamie, 32, from Cramond, studied film and media studies at Stirling University before going on to gain a place at the renowned New York Film Academy.

He said: “My father told me all about Ken once in the pub and I became intrigued because I had known so little about him.

“After reading his book, I decided I’d approach him to see if would he be up for me making a film. I’m delighted he said yes, as I think the film is something to be truly proud of.

“Ken really opened up about his life when I interviewed him and the film is interspersed with clips from his career.

“There’s something in it for everyone, not just sports fans.”

The Boxer From Somewhere Else will be screened at the Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, on March 27.

Watch The Boxer From Somewhere Else trailer

Round-up

Born on June 28, 1945 in Northfield, Ken Buchanan joined the Sparta Club aged eight and turned professional in 1965.

After winning 23 consecutive bouts he knocked out Maurice Cullen in 1968 to become British Lightweight Champion.

Undeterred by an early failed bid to take the European title against Miguel Velazquez in 1970, he eventually beat Velazquez in the rematch and was given a shot at the world title against Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rico.

He was awarded the WBA world title by a judges’ decision after 15 rounds.

His career took a dramatic nosedive in 1972 when a below-the-belt punch was delivered after the bell, landing him in hospital and handing the title to opponent Roberto Duran.

He finally hung up his gloves in 1982.