Changing Room Chat: Buchanan | Rory McAllister | Brazil

SCOTTISH boxing legend Ken Buchanan will step onto the world stage again – when he is portrayed on the silver screen.

Buchanan, 67, who lives in Leith, will be played by Australian Home and Away actor Ryan Kwanten, 36, in the film Hands of Stone, which stars Robert de Niro, and charts the career of Buchanan’s arch-rival, Panamanian Roberto Duran.

Buchanan became the WBA world lightweight champion in 1970 by beating another Panamanian, Ismael Laguna, in Puerto Rico, but lost the title to Duran two years later at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The two men are now friends, and the Scot said: “I’m pleased to see him getting recognition like this.” Of the decision to cast Kwanten, Buchanan said wryly: “Ryan’s a handsome lad – like myself! I’m glad they picked him.”

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Filming will begin in South America this summer and Duran is understood to be played by Venezuelan Edgar Ramirez while Usher Raymond has been cast in the part of Sugar Ray Leonard.

• Peterhead’s match-winner at Ibrox on Saturday, striker Rory McAllister, could be joined at the Blue Toon next season by older brother Jamie. Balmoor boss Jim McInally admitted that he is interested in seeing whether the 29-year-old Culter Juniors striker, who has scored an incredible 70 goals this season, could cut it at a higher level.

McInally said: “I have watched Jamie in action and he has a talent. He is quick, athletic and a good finisher. Rory has signed a new contract with us and the two of them up front could be a very exciting duo.”

• The Brazilian government is worried ordinary fans could be priced out of the country’s modernised stadiums in an unwanted legacy from hosting the 2014 World Cup. Brazil is building two brand new stadiums and remodelling another ten which will leave the country with a glut of all-seater, state-of-the-art arenas. The worry is that many will no longer be able to afford to go to games.

“To have socially exclusive stadiums is not the legacy we want,” said deputy sports minister Luis Fernandes.

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