Joe Bugner, from the golden age of Heavyweights, affected by Dementia at 73

[Willow The Wisp]

Another sad story

[GhostofDempsey]

Sad to hear. I'm reminded of a humorous story Bugner told about sparring Liston.

Sonny was still one of the most feared boxers on the planet, and was said to have underworld connections. He could still pack a punch, but was not a big mover around the ring. In fact, I don't think he moved at all.

I went to see him train in a huge auditorium, with the boxing ring in the middle. My manager said to me, 'Why don't you put a pair of gloves on? Get in the ring and we'll force Liston to spar with you.' Sonny wouldn't pass the chance to smash up a kid, he said. Sonny's management told him I'd come all the way from England to spar with him. At first, Liston refused, but when his management persisted, he said, 'Tell that white boy to get in the ring and I'll show him a thing or two.'

When I actually faced him, I felt my sphincter muscle contract. Sonny was still an imposing figure and he did not acknowledge me. When the bell went, I moved backwards and forwards, ducking, weaving, trying not to get too close to him. We went a couple of rounds and I could see he was getting frustrated. In the third round, he stopped the spar and said, 'Stand still, you white m'fer.'

He was a slugger though - what idiot would stand toe to toe with him? There was no way in hell I was going to stand there and get hit! So I continued to run rings around him. He would set himself up for a jab and I would move. I remember hitting him with some great combinations.

Sonny stopped the session short, turned to his manager and said, 'Get this m'fer out of here.' I left straight away.'

[Willie Pep 229]

Sad to hear. I'm reminded of a humorous story Bugner told about sparring Liston.

Sonny was still one of the most feared boxers on the planet, and was said to have underworld connections. He could still pack a punch, but was not a big mover around the ring. In fact, I don't think he moved at all.

I went to see him train in a huge auditorium, with the boxing ring in the middle. My manager said to me, 'Why don't you put a pair of gloves on? Get in the ring and we'll force Liston to spar with you.' Sonny wouldn't pass the chance to smash up a kid, he said. Sonny's management told him I'd come all the way from England to spar with him. At first, Liston refused, but when his management persisted, he said, 'Tell that white boy to get in the ring and I'll show him a thing or two.'

When I actually faced him, I felt my sphincter muscle contract. Sonny was still an imposing figure and he did not acknowledge me. When the bell went, I moved backwards and forwards, ducking, weaving, trying not to get too close to him. We went a couple of rounds and I could see he was getting frustrated. In the third round, he stopped the spar and said, 'Stand still, you white m'fer.'

He was a slugger though - what idiot would stand toe to toe with him? There was no way in hell I was going to stand there and get hit! So I continued to run rings around him. He would set himself up for a jab and I would move. I remember hitting him with some great combinations.

Sonny stopped the session short, turned to his manager and said, 'Get this m'fer out of here.' I left straight away.'

Shadows of Clay to come.

[Willow The Wisp]

Great story. Joe was just starting out, a couple years into his pro career. The session took place at Dominick Bufano's Gym in Jersey City, NJ. 6 months prior to Sonny's death in December of 1970. Bugner was a glib and funny guy well liked by those who knew him. Very at home at the Playboy mansion in the 70s and among Australian elites in the 90's to today. Sad that such a personable man became afflicted with dementia while still physically vibrant in his 70s. This is always the contact sport athlete's gamble. Skulls are not meant for this.

Though born ouside of the empire, and though he did end the great career of Sir Henry Cooper, Joe is true blue:





Heavyweights of the United Kingdom - 50 Years 1973 - 2023

1. Lennox Lewis
2. Tyson Fury
3. Anthony Joshua
4. Frank Bruno
5. Joe Bugner
6. Dillian Whyte
7. Joe Joyce
8. Daniel Dubois
9. David Haye
10.Derrick Chisora
11.David Price
12.Hughie Fury
13.Herbie Hide
14.Danny Williams
15.Gary Mason
16.Richard Dunn
17.Audley Harrison
18.John L. Gardner
19.Horace Notice
20.Danny McAlinden
21.Fabio Wardley
22.Bunny Johnson
23.Neville Meade
24.Sam ***ton
25.Martin Rogan
26.Nathan Gorman
27.Matt Skelton
28.Gordon Ferris
29.John McDermott
30.Billy Aird

[kara]

Dementia is the worst. I think I fear that more than cancer.... to lose your mind and forget everything.

[Willie Pep 229]

Dementia is the worst. I think I fear that more than cancer.... to lose your mind and forget everything.

Not if you actually don't know what's going on.

At 15 I worked as kitchen help/dishwasher in a nursing home. Saw many with dementia, some very sad off, but not all.

Mr. Kelly was 90 plus, spent 40 years on the Long Island rails. He use to wear his conductor's hat and walk very slowly down the halls. He would eventually go through the exit door and the alarm would sound.

When the alramed sounded one of my many unofficial jobs was to run out and retrieve the patient. Usually it was Mr. Kelly. I'd say where you going and he would reply "to meet my wife at the train." Of course she was long gone but I would walk him back into the building and point "the trains that way" sending back towards the front door.

The nurses at the other end would then turn him around and send him back. This would continued until he tired and napped.

At first I was depressed by it all until someone pointed out to me "look how happy his is, he thinks is going to see his wife and he's excited about it."

Not everyone carries demons into their dementia.

[kara]

Not if you actually don't know what's going on.

At 15 I worked as kitchen help/dishwasher in a nursing home. Saw many with dementia, some very sad off, but not all.

Mr. Kelly was 90 plus, spent 40 years on the Long Island rails. He use to wear his conductor's hat and walk very slowly down the halls. He would eventually go through the exit door and the alarm would sound.

When the alramed sounded one of my many unofficial jobs was to run out and retrieve the patient. Usually it was Mr. Kelly. I'd say where you going and he would reply "to meet my wife at the train." Of course she was long gone but I would walk him back into the building and point "the trains that way" sending back towards the front door.

The nurses at the other end would then turn him around and send him back. This would continued until he tired and napped.

At first I was depressed by it all until someone pointed out to me "look how happy his is, he thinks is going to see his wife and he's excited about it."

Not everyone carries demons into their dementia.

Yes, but I might start agreeing with Queen in every thread.

[IronDanHamza]

Dementia is the worst. I think I fear that more than cancer.... to lose your mind and forget everything.

I don’t fear death in any way. I’m ready to go whenever that day is.

But I definitely fear dementia/Alzheimer’s and those kind of diseases.

Touch wood, I’ve yet to have any kind of symptoms.

[kara]

I don’t fear death in any way. I’m ready to go whenever that day is.

But I definitely fear dementia/Alzheimer’s and those kind of diseases.

Touch wood, I’ve yet to have any kind of symptoms.

I already have dementia because I started reading more of Queen's posts

[JAB5239]

I already have dementia because I started reading more of Queen's posts

There are people out there who wish they had dementia just so they could forget his posts!!