10 best wins by a Scottish boxer overseas

Josh Taylor became undisputed super lightweight champion by beating Jose Carlos Ramirez in Las Vegas.

Shaun Brown

Dec 16 2024

SCOTTISH sportsmen and women don’t often claim big victories overseas and in boxing it’s a case of slim pickings.

However, this weekend in Riyadh, Lee McGregor could join a select group of Scottish fighters to have left home and won abroad. Beating Isaac Lowe doesn’t eclipse his peers but doing it on such a big stage like the Usyk-Fury 2 undercard would be a huge boost for his career.

With that being said Boxing News presents 10 of the best Scottish boxing wins abroad.

Ken Buchanan vs. Ismael Laguna I

Puerto Rico, baking hot temperatures, 15 rounds. No Scotsman should have been allowed near such an environment let alone fought in it. Buchanan overcame the conditions and cuts to both eyes to pull off an all-time great victory.

Josh Taylor vs. Jose Carlos Ramirez

Six years and 18 fights as a professional took Taylor to the top of the super-lightweight class. Postol, Baranchyk, Prograis all taken care of before Ramirez in Las Vegas. A small crowd witnessed it while we were still living with Covid-19.

Ken Buchanan vs Ismael Laguna II

Buchanan’s second of five fights at Madison Square Garden. The Scot, bloodied once again, won the rematch more convincingly. Buchanan nearly got Laguna out of there in the 14^th round, but the Panamanian survived in his last fight.

Jim Watt vs. Perico Fernandez

The only Scot to ever win a title in Spain. Touching down in the opener Watt recovered and dominated every one of the next 14 rounds to retain the European lightweight title in his second defence.

Ken Buchanan vs. Ruben Navarro

Navarro replaced Mando Ramos at 48 hours’ notice. Buchanan was down in the opener, but referee Arthur Mercante didn’t agree. The lightweight champion had to be on his toes early on but eventually Buchanan’s jab and movement was too much for a game Navarro.

Ken Buchanan vs. Carlos Ortiz

Buchanan returned to MSG three months after losing to Roberto Duran. Ortiz wasn’t the fighter who battered Laguna in 1967. Buchanan proved too much for the veteran who retired in the sixth round and from his career.

Pat Clinton vs. Salvatore Fanni

Clinton travelled to Italy trying to become the first Scot in 66 years to win the European flyweight title. He had been unsuccessful 18 months earlier against Eyup Can in Denmark. Despite being down in the 10^th against Fanni the boy from Croy held on.

John McCormack vs. Heinrich Freytag

A Scottish ‘Cowboy’ against Frankfurt’s favourite boxing carpenter. Eight thousand fans sat inside the Festhalle hoping the local favourite could pull off the upset. McCormack was world-class and the southpaw was far too good for this level.

Murray Sutherland vs. Ernie Singletary

The first ever world super-middleweight champion. Sutherland had already fought Michael Spinks (twice) and Matthew Saad Muhammad at 175lbs. Singletary was strong, tough and despite Sutherland’s efforts, damaging his hands in the process, would not be knocked out.

Peter Keenan vs. Bobby Sinn

Keenan embarked on a tour of Australia and the Far East. His first of three Down Under was fought out in front of 13,000 fans in Sydney. A world class bantamweight who showed as much against Sinn to win the vacant Empire Title.