Flavor Of The Month: Oscar Bonavena. How about Bonavena vs Ken Norton, both prime.

I'm not much of a Norton believer. The nuances of Norton's defense would be lost on someone like Bonavena. He would just push his way through bull-in-a-china-shop style. I say that Ringo takes this one via a very hard fought decision

 

What about Norton's victories over Quarry ? And the tough rugged Cobb ?

I'm not saying your wrong necessarily, I would just like your thoughts on those performances.

 

Norton.

Big, tough, strong as a bull. On top of that highly skilled technician. Oscar's main advantage is his great chin (compared to Norton's average/decent) but Kenny is a shelf higher in my book.

 

Seem to recall reading, this fight was actually going to take place. Just not long before Ringo got killed.
Now if thet have gone ahead, I go for Kenny.
Ringo was slipping by then and I see Norton roughing him up and stopping him in around 10 rounds.

 

Ringo, beats Mandingo like a Drum (the movie sequel)?

Kidding.

Actually, a tough fight for Ken. If Ringo wins it has to be by stoppage, not a UD imo.

Anybody who doesn’t put Ken out generally catches hell.

Some shaky moments but I think Ken has the power and sufficient margin in skill advantage to overcome Oscar and perhaps have Bonavena himself hanging on, if not out, toward the end.

 

Definitely a different fight Richard.
That one I'm kind of leaning toward s Oscar, but only just.

 

I pick Norton.

Bonavena was a strong aggressive roughouse type of fighter who gave the world's best problems. He was a solid puncher but not an especially hard one,and this is the main reason as to why I don't think he would beat Ken. Norton was as strong as Oscar with more skill. I see a very lively bout culminating in a clear,albeit hard fought,unanimous decision for Ken.

 

Prime for prime, i lean toward Ken. He was just better conditioned and I think he could hang in there and take it on points. But @Fogger makes a good point and i think 'nuance' is the perfect way to describe Bonavena's disregard for Ken's technicality. Bonavena would not give a damn... he would just try and beat the devil out of Norton. Though I think if Futch was cornering Norton, the game plan would be immaculate and Ken was phenomenal in his execution of tactics and this is how I see Ken winning.

In these fantasy match ups I wish we gave greater consideration to a fighters corner. It has a tremendous impact. Even if it is just Dundee reminding Ali that he needs to stick and move, or Futch's advice to a blind Frazier in Manila to stand several inches back which ended up backfiring. The corner is a vital component of success.

 

Bonavena would have run the overrated Norton ragged.

 

Quarry was at the end.

I may be wrong, but the Cobb fight may have been after Tex had his arm busted defending a friend in a bar fight. His power was never the same after that.