WITH his movie star good looks and determination to be world champion, British boxer Joe Bugner could have been a true legend.

The fighter, who died at the age of 75, was the only man to twice go the distance with Muhammad Ali .

Having been defeated 13 times, Bugner eventually fought his way to a heavyweight world title at the age of 48 in 1998.

But the defence-minded pugilist had been booed in London when he beat the much-loved Henry Cooper in 1971 and ridiculed when he was defeated by Frank Bruno in 1987.

Unlike those two rivals, Bugner was no gentle giant outside of the ring.

The 6ft 4in tall brute beat up his first wife Melody, fled the country to avoid paying child support to his daughter Amy-Jane Broome and was declared bankrupt.

Always controversial, he said that film star

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