Based on the footage, I agree with this. He didn't slip, but was outmaneuvered, caught off-balance and out of position when he fell down from punching. That situation is a knockdown by definition (even if Chuvalo wasn't stunned the way Foreman later rung his bell). Anybody who thinks Ringo always had slow feet should check out how he was skipping side to side immediately before this happened.
I like how Bonavena being caught by sneaky punches and being knocked down a handful of times from them is some mark against his shot. Must mean Fullmer had a TERRIBLE chin! Not only was he knocked down from such a shot but stopped!
Oscar by KO within 7. As has been pointed out already Oscar could box quite well when he set his mind to it like he did vs Chuvalo, and he could counterpunch very effectively too as he demonstrated vs Frazier in their return bout. Oscar would be respectful of Earnie`s power and would fight accordingly in the early going before stepping on the gas pedal once he see his man tiring and getting him out of there. Or maybe Oscar will just blast him out of there early if he lands a solid blow, either way this fight aint going the distance more often than not.
I'm convinced from seeing that fight over and over again that one of those trips to the deck by Chuvalo was a legit knockdown, meaning that he was helped to the canvas by a punch from Oscar.
I always theough that Oscar had to have some kind of savvy besides just being tough to take prime Frazier the distance twice like he did. Yet more precise punchers like Folley, Ellis and Ali were able to put him on the deck, ironically.
Yep, for a former middleweight, Ellis carried a fair bit of pop... accuracy and timing can never be overlooked, either.
Bonavena looked crude against boxers but he did show some skills against Frazier, Chuvalo and other pressure fighters. I guess a comparison with Fullmer can be made, in that he would try to do his best to spoil and brawl against good boxers, while trying to outbox and counter punch the brawlers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS7MaE99GBs As tough as Bonavena was, I'd rather see him fight Shavers like he fought Chuvalo and not like he fought Frazier. Shavers destroyed everyone whom he was able to get against the ropes. His looping right to the body usually set everything up.
Hard to call. I like Shavers in the early to mid rounds, and Bonevena late. Points could go either way. Shavers stamina wasn't that bad. He went the distance with Ali and Holmes.
Bonavena's % is pretty good ,but he never ko a rated fighter,I see him as a decent puncher, but not top end. Bonavena to out last Shavers and win by late stoppage.
sneaky Pinpoint punching accurate and well timed as opposed to telegraphed or clubbing power shots a whole different animal but very few Heavyweights have that skill
I'm not sure if I remember right, but wasn't this bout a possibility around 74 or so? About the timeframe of the Lyle/Bonavena fight and I'm seem to recall that it was going to be Earnie in there with the guy. Earnie's stock went up quite a bit in the late 70's, but in the early and mid 70's he wasn't perceived as all that much of a juggernaut.
Bonavena's strength, chin, and awkwardness would be too much for Shavers to handle.Earnie would win two rounds tops, but Oscar wears him down for a last round stoppage, halfway through the tenth round.
Bonavena 10 times out of 10. He was better in every department than Shavers except punching power. It wouldnt go the distance. Id lean toward a stoppage around round five for Bonavena but if it went later Shavers would be gassing out and get stopped regardless. It would be fun while it lasted though. Anyone ever see Bonavena-Lyle? I bet that was fun. And I agree with Chris about the Chuvalo knockdown.
Bonavena was vulnerable to a sharpshooter like Jimmy Ellis in particular, not a puncher like frazier. He would have used his awkwardness and strength to the max vs Shavers. If Ron Stander could do Earnie in, it would be nothing compared to Ringo. I stand by my of '09,..a fifth round ko with a left to the head by Oscar.