Ken Buchanan to become next recipient of 'Edinburgh Award'

Ken Buchanan will become the 10th recipient of the Edinburgh Award next year.

Ken Buchanan will be presented with the Edinburgh Award more than half a century on from his professional debut.

The 71-year-old former lightweight champion’s handprints will be immortalised in a flagstone outside the City Chambers along with those of the previous Edinburgh Award winners.

They also include fundraising war veteran Tom Gilzean, entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer, arts impresario Richard Demarco.

Buchanan, who was finally formally recognised in his home city with a civic reception in January, will become the 10th recipient of the Edinburgh Award when the official ceremony is held early in the new year.

Born in 1945, Buchanan joined the Sparta boxing club in the city at the age of eight and turned professional in 1965.

He won both the Scottish and British lightweight crows before beating world champion Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rico in 1970.

He famously fought on the same bill as Muhammad Ali in Madison Square Garden twice and was the only living British fighter when he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “It’s no secret that I am a great supporter of Ken and the recognition that he so richly deserves.

“In many ways, a lasting tribute for him in his home city is long overdue, and it seems right to me that his name will go on the wall of the City Chambers and those famous fighting hands will be immortalised in stone.

“He really has made an outstanding contribution to sport, and this award is the city’s way of recognising all that he has achieved in his career.”

Buchanan said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed that this prestigious honour will be presented to me. The fact that I’ll have everlasting handprints cast in stone at the Royal mile is just amazing and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.”