For such a clumsy looking fighter, Bonavena had a good jab and was hard to hit cleanly. I think he would be too skilled for Firpo, and is much more proven against top men, being a rated contender for a decade while Firpo packed almost all his top fights into a two year span. As has been said, too many questions about Firpo's comp. Willard and Brennan were at the end of the trail. Weinert had a weak jaw and was always extremely erratic. Spalla was the Euro champ at a time there were few top European heavies. In comparision, Bonavena defeated quite a few rated men and held his own with Frazier (I thought he deserved the decision in their first fight).
Bonavena beats Firpo in eleven rounds by kayo.He fought the tighter comp, and was tougher and had underrated skills.
