Joe Bugner

Joe Bugner
Bugner (left) during a boxing match
Born
József Kreul Bugner

(1950-03-13)13 March 1950
Szőreg, Hungary
Died1 September 2025(2025-09-01) (aged 75)
NationalityHungarian
British
Australian
Other namesAussie Joe
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Reach82 in (210 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights83
Wins69
Wins by KO43
Losses13
Draws1

József Kreul Bugner (13 March 1950 – 1 September 2025), also known as Joe Bugner, was a Hungarian-born Australian-British heavyweight professional boxer and actor. He unsuccessfully challenged Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight championship in 1975.[1]

As an actor, he was best known for his role in the 1994 action movie Street Fighter.

He was ranked among the world's top ten heavyweights of the 1970s, fighting such opponents as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ron Lyle, Jimmy Ellis, Manuel Ramos, Chuck Wepner, Earnie Shavers, Henry Cooper, Brian London, Mac Foster, Rudie Lubbers, Eduardo Corletti, Jurgen Blin and George Johnson.[2]

He was seen among the top ten British heavyweight boxers of all time.[3]

Bugner died at a care home in Brisbane, Australia from problems caused by dementia on 1 September 2025, at the age of 75.[4][5]

References

  1. William Oscar Johnson (25 May 1987). "Joe Bugner is Down Under looking for a title shot - 05.25.87 - SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. Mike Goodpaster (14 November 2022). "Top 10 Heavyweight of the 1970s". The Grueling Truth. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  3. Gareth A. Davies (24 April 2017). "Top 10 British Heavyweight Boxers of All Time". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  4. "Joe Bugner: Former world heavyweight title opponent for Muhammad Ali dies aged 75". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  5. Rawling, John (1 September 2025). "Joe Bugner obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2025.