No he doesn't...Oscar was quite a handful for anybody...and in his own way was quite cagey....a much smarter boxer,...especially vs short, squatty types like Tua. Like Jose Torres said of him, he had *****...and I think he would have smothered the more ernest, straight ahead Tua and awkwardly out jab, out maneuver, and outpoint the Tuaman.
No he doesn't, Bonavena was a better fighter, but he eclipses Oscar in the area that counts... +40 lbs.
I don't see it. Where does Oscar eclipse him? He was floored twice by overstuffed middleweight Jimmy Ellis; beaten by Ron Lyle; was given a gift against Al Blue Lewis in his hometown of Buenas A.; beaten by Patterson. Not to mention Frazier and Ali.
So tired of Ali era fighters basking in his reflected glow. So many are ranked a full grade higher just for sharing the ring... Oscars gets pummeled and stopped in 7.
Guys with quickness and boxing ability like Lewis Ibeabuchi and Bryd beat Tua. Even Rachman should have gotten an NC and a decision. Massively strong guy, but limited. His best wins were over a post-prime Moorer, and a pre-prime Oquendo. Bonavena was underrated though, he gave great fighters; Patterson, Ali and Frazier real good rolls. I think Argentines are a little underrated because they look so clumsy. Again, Tua beats him though, he's not going to lose to an aggressive 200 lb. guy.
Sure sorry Oscar and Quarry never got a chance to get it on. Lyle said Bonavena hit harder but Jerry was the better all around fighter.
I don't think any fighter ever had an "easy" time with Oscar Bonavena, and frankly I don't see that as being any different here. I might favor Tua to stop him late or take a decision as the result of scoring multiple knockdowns.. But regardless of who wins, they'd both have their hands full.
Similar to Chuvalo fight but Tua likely edges Oscar on the cards. Against Chuvalo, Oscar actually boxed off the back foot, he also was able to push abd clinch the heavier Chuvalo. Oscar was a powerful man with a huge frame, he would hold his own. But he would still struggle and fade.
