Did his bit on the big stage. More intent on not getting hit/hurt than going for it.

Got a very close decision against 'Enery Cooper, which Cooper did not like and finished his career.

Joe B. went on to mix it with the best.

Thanks Joe.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:13 pm

Did his bit on the big stage. More intent on not getting hit/hurt than going for it.

Got a very close decision against 'Enery Cooper, which Cooper did not like and finished his career.

Joe B. went on to mix it with the best.

Thanks Joe.

Henry was robbed, they wanted the up and coming younger guy, but he definitely mixed it with the best.

RIP Joe

Just lacked the knock-out punch....RIP

Wasn’t the same after an opponent died in one of his early bouts.

RIP JB

Seem to remember his wife was the driving force

József Bugner. Family fled Hungary after the Soviets invaded in 1956.

My Dad liked watching boxing and those of the less young UTCers will recall having to wait until 10pm (or 10.35pm on ITV) for midweek football so used to see a fair few bouts. I never really liked the sport and don't really agree with it (I know the counter-arguments).

One of names of my youth along with Alan Minter.

RIP Joe. He definitely had the punch, as alluded to above he didn’t like to use it.
Great defence and chin. Knocked out in his first pro fight, Dec 67, he was never knocked out again in spite of fighting all the greats of that era.

With his blonde curly locks and physique in his younger days he resembled more a Greek Adonis than a pugilist. No cauliflower ears or broken nose. My brother once met him at a Charity fundraiser and I still have his autograph. Joe mixed it with the best having back to back fights against Ali and Frazier (not on the same night I might add).

I've no idea why, beyond the obvious of him being a tough nut, but Joe Bugner was one of the only 2 people who used to really scare the life out of me as a child, the other one being the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
RIP Joe Bugner.

Rest in peace Joe, always a good fight when you were in the ring.

trawdenclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:36 pm

Wasn’t the same after an opponent died in one of his early bouts.

What a bizzare thing to say .

A tough man was JB pretty much fought everyone . Always thought he both Ali and Frazier very solid fights .

AlargeClaret wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:43 pm

What a bizzare thing to say .

A tough man was JB pretty much fought everyone . Always thought he both Ali and Frazier very solid fights .

Not that bizarre, post the incident Joe fought like he didn’t want to hurt his opponents.

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 01, 2025 4:28 pm

Henry was robbed, they wanted the up and coming younger guy, but he definitely mixed it with the best.

RIP Joe

Henry wasn't robbed he was well beaten, Carpenter apologised in later years for his comments after the fight which swayed peoples view of the fight.

Watch it with the sound turned down, it was Bugners 21st birthday that day, you couldn't fight for a title until you were 21 in those days.

Also as to him never trying to win or not having a punch ask Richard Dunn!!!