George Chuvalo vs Oscar Bonavena, possible knockdowns ?

I don't think that it is entirely improbable that Bonavena floored Chuvalo, especially the first time, but neither one was very clean, and it would be easy to explain them away. I for one do not think the second one was a KD. Chuvalo was staggered, but did not go down enough imo. The first one is tougher. Bonavena did indeed hurt Chuvalo, and Chuvalo did indeed hit the deck. However, it looks like Bonavena kind of pushed him with his punching hand after he hurt him. That first one is very tricky to decide on. Two reasonable people could easily come to both conclusions. However, I think that fact alone makes it better that we not consider it a KD since we cannot be entirely sure of the circumstances.

 

I am no expert at this, I want to see what others think.
The first time, he went down so briefly, but it may have been more of a push.
The second time, he never touched groud, but would have if it was not for the ropes.

What does everyone believe?

 

The first look like George got checked in his tracks by a left, was taking a step back to recover got shoved back further at the same time by Bonavena with the left again and briefly toppled down for a brief second. Maybe Chuvalo was unsteady (he didn’t look hurt to me) but the “blow” that put him down wasn’t a punch.

The second one looked like Chuvalo got his feet tangled on themselves and lost balance and stumbled until his arse hit the rope and he regained balance. Ringo didn’t look like he landed much of anything.

The referee got it right in not calling either of them knockdowns in my opinion. I recall Klompton saying these were legitimate knockdowns when he was having a debate about Chuvalo but seeing this (which I hadn’t seen before) makes me think he’s full of it sometimes if he has an agenda.

 

I always despised Chuvalo, regardless of this fact I think it was a slip (both)

 

This is the closest to how I saw it. Watching and rewatching and rewatching these scenarios a number of times, I feel the first one is indeed a good shove. No knockdown. The second one, Chuvalo pivots to his right and is completely off-balance (watch his right foot). While off-balance he fires a right (It couldn't have much on it as it was strictly an arm punch with no leverage behind it) and is now awkwardly off his pins. I believe he would have ended up right where he did, falling into the ropes, however, he was tagged by Oscar after landing his awkward right. So, by the letter of the law, I think it should have been a knockdown. He wasn't hurt at all, but again, he was tagged. Of course, Mercante didn't have the benefit of replaying and didn't have VAR, so it's a judgement call.

 

Just always talking rubbish.

 

I’m happy Chuvalo has no knockdowns recorded against him based on this.

That said if the Foreman fight was allowed to continue then Chuvalo would’ve been a stain on the canvas. Big George was putting a life jeopardising beating on him.

 

The first one isn't 100% clear but it's possible Chuvalo's glove scraped the canvas but the ref didn't see it or ignored it. Kind of reminds me of when Tim Bradley nearly floored Marquez he was dangerously close to being floored. If a boxer doesn't clearly hit the floor and gathers themselves springing back up that isn't a legitimate knockdown no matter how off balance or goofy they look.

The 2nd one at 12:15 is clearly a knockdown because the ropes were the only thing keeping Chuvalo up. Not sure why the ref didn't count it. Chuvalo definitely would have been on his rear or on his back without the ropes.

Bonavena had good power, he just didn't have the finesse to deliver it consistently.

 

Who voted Yes on KD 2?

 

For gods sake man - that rule was not in effect at that time!!!!!

 

Kompton? Agenda? Nahhh.

 

First one, yes. Second one, maybe, but would need to see in slo-mo.

God, Chuvalo was unimaginative. No attempt at head movement, no flash of finesse. Bonavena not much better, but at least he tried.