The oldest son of boxing legend Ken Buchanan claims he has not been allowed to see a copy of his father’s will. Raymond Fraser Buchanan told the Record last month that he had missed his dad’s burial because younger brother Mark failed to notify him about it.
Now Mark and close friend Owen Smith, who had legal power of attorney over the champion’s affairs, have ignored messages from Raymond about his father’s estate. Raymond, 57, has shared a video message his father made suggesting he wanted his eldest son to get the famous ring given to Buchanan on his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Raymond said last night: “I loved my dad and he was also my hero. I’d love the ring as my dad wanted me to have it. Anything to do with my dad’s career, I would never part with. I would want anything like that always to stay in the family.
“I’ve asked about a will, I’ve asked about the ring, but they’re not even replying to me. It’s a really shabby way to treat his son.”
Former undisputed world lightweight boxing champion Buchanan, who was suffering from dementia, died on 1 April aged 77 in a nursing home in Edinburgh. Raymond, who lives in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, last spoke to him by telephone three days earlier.
He said: “The last thing he said to me was ‘I love you, Son’. I treasure that.”
Raymond attended the funeral at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, but he and his partner Allana and their daughters, Charli, 15, and Skyla, 10, sat in the third row, two rows behind Smith and brother Mark and their families. Last year, Raymond told the Record about learning that his sporting hero as a young boy, Ken Buchanan, was actually his dad.
Ken had dated Raymond’s mum Maria in the 60s but they split before he was born. Ken went on to marry second wife Carol and they had two children, Mark and Karen. Since learning as a child that Ken was actually his dad, the pair developed a close bond. Raymond spoke to his dad just three days before his death and says they were as close as ever towards the end of Ken’s life.
Ken’s burial at Piershill Cemetery was to be private, but Raymond expected to be involved and was distraught when he learned he’d missed it. He asked Mark: “Why wasn’t I there?”
Mark replied: “It was kept secret as per dad’s wishes and you never asked for any details or anything about it so I thought you were happy with just coming [to the funeral].”
Raymond replied: “You never sent me any details. I wouldn’t have missed my dad’s burial for the world.”
Raymond added: “I always tried to fit in with his family, but it’s been a struggle. I don’t deserve to be treated like this.”
The Record called Mark and Smith to ask for comment but neither picked up. A text sent to both asking about the will, any last wishes and the whereabouts of the ring went unanswered.
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