If you don't pick Wilder over much smaller brawling contender types, you're basically consigning him to history's dustbin. Not saying that's a position entirely without merit, but it's definitely true.
Probably : Bonavena beats him up for about 10 rounds but Wilder lands his 'equalizer' in the last stages of the distance, and gets himself the win.
Hm- I don’t know what to say this is one of those moments where one post could lead to “SHW WW3” haha- Rocky would beat them both however.
To me this fight would resemble the Muhammad Ali vs Oscar Bonavena bout in 1970, this was Ali's second fight in 43 months. He did not even resemble the Ali of 1967 at all, getting mauled and getting caught by the wild blows from Oscar, then he gets nailed by Ali in round 15, the end. Deontay Wilder is no Ali, but this fight goes the same way. Bonavena making a tough fight of it, then in round 12, he nails Oscar for the knockout win.
Hard for me to envision exactly how Bonavena would be effective against a man who has the types of tools and physical advantages that wilder would have.. some here might suggest that Oscar would simply weave his way inside and stay perpetually planted to wilder’s body for 12 rounds...... Problem solved...... But I don’t think it’s that simple.
Agreed. Wilder will land the equalizer somewhere in the fight, and Oscar, despite his best efforts, despite being ahead on the scorecards will succumb to the power. Wilder KO10
I'm going with some of the excellent posters above, and see Oscar perhaps trying to crowd him, being rather successful to a degree, until Wilder lands a booming shot. And perhaps the scoring could be interesting to.
I would favor Wilder via KO but I don't think it's the foregone conclusion the above posters are making it out to be.
Bonavena edges out the early rounds and then Wilder lands his signature right hand in the mid rounds. Similar to the Luis Ortiz fight
In fairness, it is quite hard to see Bonavena getting on the inside as often as he did with as poor a defense as he had without getting KOd.
Bonavena has quite a few decision losses to less than stellar boxers so it isn't out of the question for him to lose a decision here. And a 5'10 205-210 HW being dropped into today's era would struggle heavily even if that HW has a granite chin and clubbing power. Wilder either takes a decision in an entertaining scrap or drops Bonavena late and takes him out with the follow up barrage/ref stoppage.
