On September 26, 1970, a 25-year-old Ken Buchanan (36-1, 13 KOs) got a shot at the WBA and The Ring lightweight titles held by 27-year-old Panamanian boxer Ismael Laguna (63-6-1, 37 KOs).
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 35% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 14 days. Laguna was on a 5-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 20 days.
Ken Buchanan defeated Ismael Laguna via split decision and wins the WBA and The Ring titles — in his first world-title fight. Buchanan improves his record to 37-1, while Laguna adds a loss to his record at 63-7-1.
On September 13, 1971, Ken Buchanan and Ismael Laguna met again in a rematch.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 7-fight win streak with a 34% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 2 days. Laguna was on a -1-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 2 months and 22 days.
Ken Buchanan defeated Ismael Laguna via unanimous decision in the rematch and successfully defended his WBA and The Ring lightweight titles. Buchanan improves his record to 41-1, while Laguna adds a loss to his record at 65-9-1.
On February 12, 1971, the 25-year-old undisputed lightweight world champion, Ken Buchanan (38-1, 13 KOs), faced a undefined Ruben Navarro undefined in an undisputed title defense fight.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 33% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 5 days.
Ken Buchanan defeated Ruben Navarro via unanimous decision and wins the WBA, The Ring, and WBC lightweight world champion — and becomes the undisputed lightweight world champion. Buchanan improves his record to 39-1
On September 20, 1972, a 27-year-old Ken Buchanan (43-2, 15 KOs) and a 36-year-old Puerto Rican boxer Carlos Ortiz (61-6-1, 30 KOs) met in the ring.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 33% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 25 days. Ortiz was on a 10-fight win streak with a 44% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 1 month and 19 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Carlos Ortiz via RTD in the 6th round. Buchanan improves his record to 44-2 (16 KOs), while Ortiz adds a loss to his record at 61-7-1.
On April 4, 1974, a 28-year-old Ken Buchanan (52-2, 20 KOs) and Joe Tetteh met in the ring.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 9-fight win streak with a 37% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 28 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Joe Tetteh via KO in the 3rd round. Buchanan improves his record to 53-2 (21 KOs)
On February 19, 1968, a 22-year-old Ken Buchanan (23-0, 8 KOs) and Maurice Cullen met in the ring in a lightweight bout.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 23-fight win streak with a 34% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 20 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Maurice Cullen via KO in the 11th round. Buchanan improves his record to 24-0 (9 KOs)
On September 1, 1973, a 28-year-old Ken Buchanan (48-2, 17 KOs) and Edwin Malave met in the ring.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 34% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 3 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Edwin Malave via TKO in the 7th round. Buchanan improves his record to 49-2 (18 KOs)
On May 1, 1974, a 28-year-old Ken Buchanan (53-2, 21 KOs) and Antonio Puddu met in the ring in a lightweight bout.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 10-fight win streak with a 38% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 27 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Antonio Puddu via TKO in the 6th round. Buchanan improves his record to 54-2 (22 KOs)
On May 11, 1971, a 25-year-old Ken Buchanan (39-1, 13 KOs) and Carlos Morocho Hernández met in the ring.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 6-fight win streak with a 32% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 29 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Carlos Morocho Hernández via TKO in the 8th round. Buchanan improves his record to 40-1 (14 KOs)
On July 14, 1969, a 24-year-old Ken Buchanan (31-0, 11 KOs) and Jerry Graci met in the ring.
Buchanan came in to the fight on a 31-fight win streak with a 35% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 4 months and 9 days.
Ken Buchanan stopped Jerry Graci via TKO in the 1st round. Buchanan improves his record to 32-0 (12 KOs)