Both lost to fighters at or near their prime that month. And were results that would indeed help set up Tyson/BrunoI in Feb 89. But what if Joe and Tyrell had met each other instead that month?
Biggs lasted longer against a Rooney trained Tyson than Bruno did v an out of sorts Tyson, a prime Mike would have destryoyed Bugner far quicker than he destroyed Biggs in `87, Biggs were far quicker than the fatter oldder Bugner, he was finished, Biggs was a top 10 contender in `87 and Bugner was nowhdere near that level by that stage.
Although my pick would be Biggs, it is wrong to say Bugner was nowhere near the top 10. A weak era meant wins over Tillis, Bey and Page over the previous 12 months or so got Bugner in the top 10 debate. Indeed a Bey coming off the Bugner defeat was second only to Snipes in the quality of Biggs' resume at the time. And no one I knew did not think Biggs was a top 10 fighter at the time.
Bugner didn`t have the power to knock Biggs out, his punch technique v Bruno was sloppy and his body looked untrained.
Not really a fair match up. In 1987 Joe was broke, as usual and turned up to face Bruno for the £1m cheque he was getting. The 1973 version of Bugner would have ruined Tyrell Biggs. Even the 1982 Bugner would not have been detained for long.
The "Aussie Joe" portion of bugners career was arguably his most succesful...the 3 consective wins over a still useful tillis,bey and page were impressive...however i dont think he gets past biggs ....biggs for all his drug abuse and poor dedication was still a live fighter up until the mason loss.bugner hasnt the power to put him away...and i think biggs will win over 10 rounds
Fair play its a worthy opinion...but the 1982"ish version bugner lost to an ancient shavers,marvis frazier & stefan tangstad. I like bugner but he akways lacked dedication and consistency...sure he was fighting the fraziers,alis,lyles and shavers..but he always lost the big ones. The bruno fight was actually very winnable...but he turns up 20-25 lbs over weight and foolishly trying to roughouse a master rabbit puncher like bruno....the momentt the payday was signed he seemed to lose his determination vs bruno......still the hate in the crowd thst night was a disgrace...as well as the refereeing
Good points all Jamal but I still think he hammers Biggs who was already struggling with cocaine and depression. Biggs' people had to feed him a bunch of has beens and stiffs to blow him up into a contender for a payday against Tyson. The rest of his career was sad to watch as he became an instant stepping stone.