The 3 Best Scottish Born Boxers of All Time

Scotland makes up only a small part of the UK though when you look back on it their have been some sensational Scottish born boxers who've gone on to be stars of the ring. Whether they managed to reach the pinnacle of the sport or not they have at very least blessed up with their skills.

3-Jackie Paterson

One of the forgotten little men of boxer, Paterson, who was born in Springfield, Ayrshire went not only to the top but dominated most at European and British level. His great chance came when he fought Peter Kane for the world Flyweight title in 1943 knocking out the champion in the first round. He would hold this title until 1948 when he lost it to Rinty Monaghan. After this his career gradually tailed off losing more than he won though he'd already managed to wreck havoc on the Bantamweight division picking up the European and British titles before losing his Flyweight crown.
Patersons greatest rival was Joe Curran and the two would meet several times, with mixed results as Curran faced the novice Paterson early in his career before a more experienced Paterson managed to get revenge. Of a 92 fight career he won 64 lost 25 had 3 draws and scored 41 knock outs (impressive for someone fighting at the lower weights).

2-Ken Buchanan

One of the greatest British boxers of all time and arguably could be #1 on this list as the great Lightweight was a true world champion after beating Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rico for the WBA title at 135lbs. He'd make only a couple of title defences as he seemed to spend more time being in the middle of a dispute between the WBA and the BBBofC which undoubtedly cost him some prestigious fights in Britain. Although he also held the WBC belt he never got a chance to defend it (stripped for not facing Pedro Carrasco). His biggest and most infamous fight came in 1972 in the wonderful Madison Square Garden as the skilful Scot faced one of the all time greats in Roberto Duran and lost in a controversial ending.
Though he would carry on fighting and beating some decent names (Carlos Ortiz and countryman Jim Watt) he would fail in his only attempt to take another world title (losing on points to Guts Ishimatsu the WBC champion) as his career ended up toiling away at European level. A skilful fighter who's lack of concussive power probably cost him in the long run, a record of 61 wins and 8 losses only consisted of 27KO's.

1-Benny Lynch

Scotland's first ever world champion and one of the all time best little men, stood at just 5 foot 3 and born in the Gorbals area of Glasgow he wouldn't immediately look like the typical fighter, even less so as he weighed for much of his career under 112lbs. Lynch was skilful much like Buchanan though often fought men much bigger than himself as he rose to take the British Flyweight title at the age of 22 as he stopped Jackie Brown in 2 rounds to claim the British and NBA title. He'd add the European title the following year beating Pat Palmer before unifying his NBA title with the NYSAC one that was held by Small Montana whilst he was still only 23. By this point he had become the first unified Flyweight champion for a decade. Although he'd lose a couple of no-title fights in the meantime, his first defence was stopping Peter Kane in what would be the only defence of his title.
He was later stripped for being unable to make weight as drink unfortunately ruined his life and he died aged 33, though his boxing career was over at just 25 as alcohol ruined what should have been his best years in the ring. His death from malnutrition was one of the saddest moments in Scottish boxing history. His record was 81-12-15 with 34 KO's.

Notable mention: Jim Watt and Scott Harrison