I’ll miss my hero.. and mate

I was there last August when a statue of Ken wass unveiled on the doorstep of his birthplace in Leith.

It was one of the proudest days of my life when I was invited to say a few words by fellow trustees on the committee formed by Ken’s greatest supporter, Owen Smith, in April 2016 to establish a lasting tribute to his close pal.

Ken took his rightful place in the pantheon of Edinburgh’s most famous and revered.

It is a measure of his talents that in the year he defeated Ismael Laguna to become WBA world lightweight champion in 1970, Ken was the American Boxing Writer’ Association’s Fighter of the Year.

Given that he had the likes of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for competition, his award was no mean feat.

Twelve months later, he defeated Ruben Navarro in

Los Angeles to become the

WBC and undisputed world lightweight champion.

Boxing fans will also recall Ken’s 1972 WBA title defence against “Hands of Stone” Roberto Duran at Madison Square Garden, when he was the victim of a low blow in the 13th round.

Ken deserved a rematch after giving his fellow legend the fright of his life but, perhaps not surprisingly, it was never forthcoming as Duran refused to risk his reputation a second time.

He never did manage to regain his world crown but he began 1973 by beating

Watt at the St Andrew’s

Sporting Club by a decision to reclaim the British lightweight title and later added the European belt to his collection of honours.

Eighteen years after he hung up his gloves with 61 wins from 69 contests at a time when the sport was rich in talent, Ken was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.

When I was growing up Ken was one of my heroes. More than half a century later he remains so.

But, perhaps more importantly, I was fortunate enough to be able to consider him a friend – one I will sorely miss.