I think Bugner could have edged this one on a decision based on styles. Bugner was a gifted boxer stuck in an era of great heavyweights. Had he been in his prime a scant ten years later he undoubtably would have been an alphabet titlest.
Yes, Bugner was born in 1950 and Tua 1972 so obviously, despite the fact he was an entirely reluctant fighter with limited offensive abilities, Bugner would dominate. It's in the numbers.
Bugner's chin was solid, but not totally bomb proof early on in fights, and if Shavers could get to Bugner, maybe Tua could as well. Bugner by decision, if he gets though the first two rounds.
Bugner was coming off a lay-off against Shavers though (one fight in the last five years, and that against a nobody), and was not in his best shape, so that was bound to be a factor in his lack of sharpness though. Very solid performance from Shavers though. Shame it ended with the cut as it did though : [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHUfbVwn2bE[/ame]
Bugner was tall enough, fast enough, skilled enough and tough enough that his retreating style of boxing would work against an opponent who was actually shorter and with a lesser reach than Frazier.
Yes Bugner was not quite at his peak for the Shavers fight, but the point I am making is even at his best (Frazier; Joe of course!), he was not totally bomb proof. So Tua would as a poor man's Frazier, have a chance of getting the job done with the left hook, although as I mentioned previously, I do foresee Bugner winning a decision.
Bugner made it quite close with Frazier, who was much more relentless and difficult to outpoint than Tua, but then again Tua wouldn't have given Bugner any mercy if he had Bugner in the same position that Frazier did after landing one of his left hooks. Bugner at his best and most motivated has what it takes to outpoint Tua but there's also the chance of Tua scoring a late round KO.
Tua wins by KO I don't believe Bugner has the power to keep Tua off him, of the three men to defeat him two were great punchers and the other a very slick fighter, Bugner had good skills but enough to win Tua gets to him at some stage and knocks him out.
Bugner would survive, but Tua would outpunch him IMO. Tua wins on points in a horrible fight to watch.
Tua couldn't even beat Byrd. Oquendo almost beat him. Bugner was bigger, taller and more durable, and just as good a boxer. He's harder to reach than Oquendo. I think at his best Bugner would outbox Tua to a boring decision. Tua would easily switch off and lose rounds. Although he'd remain dangerous I wouldn't expect Bugner to get careless at his best, against such a short and one-dimensional fighter. Tua was far more of a plodder than Frazier, far less adept and cutting off the ring and forcing boxers to fight. No comparison really.
It all depends on Joe Bugner's mood. He could lose on points,but a Bugner at his best,and FIGHTING at his best would win it. Probably by a substantial decision.
