Editing Joe Bugner (section)

===1980s===
Bugner returned to the ring for brief periods in the 1980s and 1990s but was never as effective as he had been during his prime due to his age and inactivity.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

After a three-year absence from the ring, Bugner returned in May 1980, knocking out fringe contender Gilberto Acuna, before promptly retiring again. In 1982, a ring-rusty Bugner (having had only one short fight in five years and weighing in some 25&nbsp;lbs above his prime fighting weight) fought the hard-hitting top contender [[Earnie Shavers]], but was stopped in the second round due to a badly cut eye. However, Bugner decided to continue his comeback, stopping the useful John Denis and fringe contender Danny Sutton, as well as domestic contenders Winston Allen and Eddie Neilson. In 1983, a subdued and unmotivated Bugner lost to [[Marvis Frazier]], showing little ambition throughout the bout. He followed this with a decision over future European champion [[Anders Eklund (boxer)|Anders Eklund]] and a controversial loss to future world title challenger [[Steffen Tangstad]]. Bugner appeared to have done enough to win the Tangstad fight, however, like with the Frazier and Eklund bouts, he appeared unmotivated and uninterested throughout.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

====Comeback in Australia====
In 1986 Bugner moved to [[Australia]], where he adopted the nickname ''Aussie Joe'' after becoming an Australian citizen.<ref name="b-m">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxing-monthly.co.uk/content/9908/two.htm |title=Article Two – August 1999 |work=Boxing Monthly |access-date=25 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620182922/http://www.boxing-monthly.co.uk/content/9908/two.htm |archive-date=20 June 2012 }}</ref> In Australia, Bugner launched a fairly successful comeback, earning good victories over world title contenders [[James Tillis]] and [[David Bey]] and an impressive victory over former [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] heavyweight champion [[Greg Page (boxer)|Greg Page]], gaining a world ranking in the process, after which he spoke of challenging reigning heavyweight champion [[Mike Tyson]].<ref>{{cite magazine | date=3 August 1987 | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066234/1/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025173256/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1066234/1/index.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 October 2012 | title=Scorecard | magazine=Sports Illustrated | access-date=26 November 2009 }}</ref> However, there was great clamour for a fight with fellow Briton [[Frank Bruno]]. The bout was touted as the biggest all-British heavyweight bout since Cooper Vs Bugner in 1971. The bout took place on 24 October 1987, and Bugner suffered an eighth-round TKO loss to the much younger and fresher world title contender for the Commonwealth championship in front of a huge crowd at [[White Hart Lane]] football stadium. Bugner promptly retired again following this defeat, only his third stoppage defeat in 20 years.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}