British heavyweight Joe Bugner, who fought Ali twice, dies aged 75

Tributes have been paid to Joe Bugner, the British heavyweight who took Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier the distance in a colourful career that spanned 32 years, after his death at the age of 75.

- Sean Ingle

Bugner twice held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles and was a three-time European heavyweight champion during boxing's golden age in the 1970s. However, a legitimate world title belt eluded him.

Frank Bruno, who beat Bugner during one of his many comebacks in 1987, called the news of his death "a sad day for boxing".

"We spent quite a bit of time together around the time of my fight with him," added Bruno. "He was a character and played Mr Bad Guy when we did the promotion. He had a long career and fought many great heavyweights."

Meanwhile, the promoter, Frank Warren, who staged Bugner's fight with Bruno at White Hart Lane, also paid his respects. "He participated in the first fight I did on ITV - a great man who will be missed. May he rest in peace," said Warren.