Happy 60th Birthday Joe Bugner

József Kreul "Joe" Bugner was born on March 13, 1950 in Szoreg, Hungary. Bugner and his family fled Hungary after the 1956 Russian invasion and settled in England. Joe became a boxer and twice held the British and British Commonwealth heavyweight title. He was also three time European heavyweight champion and was ranked among the top ten heavyweights in the world during the 1970s. He fought such boxers as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Jimmy Ellis, Henry Cooper and Ron Lyle. He fought for the heavyweight title in 1975, but lost on points to Muhammed Ali.

After retiring from boxing in 1976 he made sporadic comebacks and then moved to Australia in 1986. Now known as “Aussie Joe” he finally retired after losing to Frank Bruno in 1987 on a TKO. He made one more comeback in 1995 winning the Australian heavyweight title and the WBF Heavyweight Championship in 1998. Finally retiring in 1999 with an overall record of 69 wins, 13 losses and 1 draw.

During the 1980's Joe started a film career making several films with Bud Spencer among them “Buddy Goes West” in 1980 playing sheriff Bronson. Today we celebrate Joe Bugner's 60th birthday.