Joe Bugner Jr. Reflects on Father's Extraordinary Life and New Book
A new book, 'The Bugner Identity,' explores the complex legacy of the boxer who befriended celebrities and faced down boxing legends.
Joe Bugner Jr. is chronicling the remarkable life of his late father, the boxer Joe Bugner, in a new book titled "The Bugner Identity." The memoir delves into the heavyweight boxer's encounters with iconic figures such as Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, and George Best, alongside his boxing career and emigration from Hungary.
Joe Bugner Jr. recalls a memorable occasion in Las Vegas when his father, then preparing for his first fight with Muhammad Ali in 1973, met Elvis Presley. During a gathering at Elvis's hotel suite, an exchange over a boxing robe led Bugner to call Elvis a "f****** idiot," a story his son remembers vividly.
Bugner's encounters extended beyond the ring. He was initially hired as a boxing consultant for the Russell Crowe film "Cinderella Man," but reportedly lost his temper when Crowe opted for a different consultant. "He called a few people 'f****** idiots,' actually. One of them was Russell Crowe," Bugner Jr. shared.
Joe Bugner passed away at age 75 in Australia, where he had lived for four decades. In his later years, he battled dementia, which his son described as a "good version" because he remained happy, often believing he was still preparing for a fight or giving interviews.