Ken Buchanan's family detail boxing legend's struggle with dementia

Ken Buchanan’s family hope he will be well enough to attend the unveiling of his statue as they detailed his struggles with dementia.

The Scottish boxing great from Edinburgh was undisputed world lightweight champion in his 1970s heyday.

A statement released by son Mark Buchanan revealed his father “has good days and bad days” in his care home but hopes the 76-year-old will be at the statue ceremony in his home city in August.

The statement read: “Further to some newspaper reports in September 2021, I report that my father Ken Buchanan MBE has a formal diagnosis of dementia.

“My father resides in a private care home in Edinburgh, where he is being well looked after.

“There has been a number of sporting stars of late announcing their dementia and at the age of 76 my father’s dementia has likely come similarly as a result of his sport.

“The result of my father’s dementia leaves him at times of being very forgetful.

“My father has good days and bad days as those who are familiar with dementia will know.

“I and my father’s Attorney had to make the difficult decision to place my father in a private care home for his own safety due to his increasing vulnerability.

“My father’s care is excellent and he enjoys visits from family and friends.

“Unfortunately we have had to take the difficult decision to stop certain people who were having a negative impact on my father visiting the private care home, this was not an easy decision, however my father’s wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us.

“My father’s fame lives on throughout the boxing world. We received on behalf of my father an invitation for him to be inducted into the West Coast USA Boxing Hall of Fame. Due to his cognitive impairment, we have had to turn down this invitation.

“It is likely that my father’s public appearances will now be limited. We are forever hopeful that my father will be able to attend the unveiling of his statute likely to be in August 2022.

“My father’s legacy has been passed on to many great Scottish boxers since the 1970s and I hope my father’s World Championship wins in the USA will continue to inspire young Scottish boxers to be great champions.”