BUCHANAN IMMORTALISED IN BRONZE BACK IN LEITH

SCOTTISH boxing legend Ken Buchanan was yesterday greeted by a euphoric home crowd as he was honoured with a statue in his native Leith. Forty years on from retiring from the sport — and 50 years after being robbed of his world lightweight crown by Roberto Duran’s low blow — the 77-year-old was present at a public unveiling attended by fellow lightweight world champion Jim Watt and several other personalities from the boxing world.

The bronze statue, unveiled by former Edinburgh Provosts Frank Ross and Donald Wilson, was made possible due to the fund-raising efforts of the Ken Buchanan MBE Foundation and donations from members of the public.

Sculpted by Alan Herriot and cast by Powderhall Bronze, the statue will be located temporarily in Little King Street but it is hoped that it will have a permanent home at the redeveloped Picardy Place island site. After claiming the WBA championship in 1970 with a defeat of Ismael Laguna, Buchanan went on to defeat Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles to become WBC and undisputed world champion.

He subsequently lost the crown to Duran in highly controversial circumstances. Speaking yesterday, Watt said: ‘The highest accolade you can receive is when the people in your own city want to erect a statue to commemorate your career. Kenny certainly deserves that.’