Former world champion boxer Ken Buchanan has died at the age of 77 after a battle with dementia.

The fighter, from Edinburgh, was Scotland’s first undisputed world champion when he won the lightweight WBO and WBC titles in 1970 and 71.

He is considered by many as the country’s greatest ever boxer.

His death comes a year after it was revealed he had been diagnosed with dementia and was announced by the Ken Buchanan foundation on Saturday.

A statement from the foundation said: “It is with great sadness that we have to inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning.

“Further announcements will come and please give the family some time to process this sad news.

After winning the title against Panama’s Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rica in 1970, he was named the American Boxing Writers’ Association’s Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

Current WBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor, who followed in Buchanan’s footsteps by becoming undisputed champion in 2021, paid tribute on social media, describing him as a “hero”.

“I’m saddened to hear the news of the passing of my hero & Scotland’s greatest ever champ, whom I take such inspiration from,” he wrote.

“RIP Ken Buchanan”.

Buchanan’s death was met with great sadness amongst West Dunbartonshire’s  boxing fraternity. The picture below was taken when local boxers, their corner men and fans of the noble art received a visit from Sir Harry Lauder at Holme Park, Yoker, just after the Second World War.

Boxing was a popular sport in Dumbarton dating back to the 1930s and the Dumbarton and Clydebank boxers were admired throughout the country and the world. See pictures below.

Big John Connolly (back row, left) pictured along with some well-known local names including Donald McQueen, Wattie Glover [Frankie Narrow],  Peter Keenan and John Poker Law, all of whom were big fans of the late Ken Buchanan and members of the close-knit boxing fraternity.