Bonavena who came after dubious loss against Frazier vs Liston who came after second Ali defeat and won against Elmer! I heard that Ingo wanted to promote Liston fight with Bonavena but Liston didn't want any part of this strong slugger who knocked twice young Frazier! Bonavena had almost equal chin as Chuvalo but he is much more skillful,stronger and harder puncher! Who wins and how?
In 67, Oscar could maybe legitimately stop liston. A lot depends on what type of shape liston got in to and how serious he takes it. If he doesn't take it seriously then Oscar could knock him out of his stride, maybe even rag him around, tho that wouldn't be easy against sonny! Maybe shocking a few and stopping the once fearsome "Bear ''
Everything depends on Listons motivation and shape. This isn’t prime Liston so maybe Oscar out works an already dejected Liston who’s done w the glory gives up early...prime Liston eats him up though and stops him imo despite his great chin
By 1967 Liston was on the way to being shot. Also, his powerful contacts had dropped him or were in jail, plus he'd lost that aura of invincibility he carried before the Ali fights. Bonavena was incredibly short for a Heavyweight. What was he, 5'10" ? He was, however, very quick with hands and feet. Sonny would have had the strength and experience to control Bonavena in the clinches, tying him up, mauling and leaning on him but he's going to gas out. Oscar is going to do damage to him in the exchanges where the much slower Liston would be missing with most of his shots. Bonavena's my pick in 7 or 8.
Oscar Ringo Bonavena was a very dangerous fighter in the 1960's, on Sept 21 1966, he decked Smokin Joe Frazier twice, before losing by a split decision. A promoter from Tokyo, Japan was going to promote a title defense for World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali against Oscar Bonavena, scheduled for May 22 1967. After Ali was banned from boxing, Oscar beat Karl Mildenberger on Sept 16 1967, by unanimous decision, then lost to eventual champion Jimmy Ellis, by unanimous decision in Dec 1 1967. Meanwhile Sonny Liston racked up some victories in Sweden following the two losses to Ali. The WBA did not invite Sonny to the tournament, Frazier's management did not want Joe near him. I think that Bonavena had momentum on his side, he was hungry for another title opportunity. Sonny Liston would be a perfect opponent for such a young contender. Oscar was a very awkward strong fighter who could take a punch, he was decked against Ellis, but went the distance. The Bear does not have the punch anymore and the intimidation factor to make Ringo respect him. Bonavena wears down Liston to score a stoppage in round 10.
