Editing Joe Bugner (section)

===1990s===

Inspired by the 45-year-old [[George Foreman]]'s recapture of the heavyweight title, Bugner made a final comeback in 1995, beating Vince Cervi to win the Australian heavyweight title, followed by a win over West Turner. Bugner then fought fellow Briton and world title contender [[Scott Welch]] for the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title. Welch proved too young and fresh for the now 46-year-old Bugner, handing him a TKO defeat in the 6th round.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Bugner continued to fight on against far younger opponents. In 1996 he defeated the respectable Young Haumona for the Pacific and Australasian Heavyweight title, retained it against Waisiki Ligaloa in 1997, added the Australian title by defeating the tough Colin Wilson and defending both titles against [[Bob Mirovic]] in 1998.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

In 1998 Bugner's long-term tenacity finally gave him a world crown, albeit a lightly regarded title - the WBF version of the heavyweight crown - by defeating former WBA World Heavyweight Champion [[James "Bonecrusher" Smith]]. At the age of 48 years and 110 days, it made him the oldest ever boxer to hold a minor [[championship belt]].<ref>[http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2006/jan/24/sports-24-1-2006-005.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821020646/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/sports/2006/jan/24/sports-24-1-2006-005.htm|date=21 August 2007}}</ref><ref>[http://members.fortunecity.com/taletape/bugner.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041013035245/http://members.fortunecity.com/taletape/bugner.htm|date=13 October 2004}}</ref>

Bugner fought just once more. In June 1999, at the age of 49, he defeated the durable fringe contender Levi Billups, who was disqualified for [[Groin attack|low blow]]s.<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite news | url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_19990614/ai_n10512737 | title=Archived copy | access-date=24 January 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121640/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_19990614/ai_n10512737 | archive-date=24 September 2015 | url-status=dead }}</ref>