Joe Bugner Tribute Thread: All Time Great Contender

RAISING BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING TO NEW HEIGHTS: Bugner tears into Muhammad Ali in their 1973 bout. Although Bugner dropped a unanimous decision, he fought well and demonstrated more raw ability than any previous British heavyweight up until that point in history. Based on this performance, Bugner was easily the better of Henry Cooper, Tommy Farr, and Bob Fitzsimmons.

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AIRTIGHT DEFENSE: Bugner, always a superb defensive fighter, parries Ali's blows in 1973. Given that Ali's slashing punches had already KO'd the likes of Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson, Jimmy Ellis, Bob Foster and numerous others, Bugner's demonstrated ability level in this fight made him superior to many of the names already rated in the worldwide top-10.

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FIGHTING OFF THE ROPES: Ali attempts to unleash the same sort of attack that had KO'd many of the world's leading heavyweights, but Bugner fends him off. Based on his performance in this bout, Ring Magazine's Ron Olver declared that Bugner was the world's best heavyweight outside of Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Ken Norton.

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DEFEATING THE WORLD'S #6 RATED CONTENDER: Henry Cooper was rated #6 worldwide by Ring Magazine going into his March 1971 bout with Bugner. But Bugner proved too good for Cooper. Here, the confident Bugner seems to be saying, "I'm Britain's #1 heavyweight, not you!"

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You are not thinking clearly.

In 1973, Bugner fought Ali and Frazier. In 1975, he fought Ali. If that's not "stepping up," then I don't know what is.

Also, in 1974, several major fights for Bugner fell through. For most of 1976, Bugner was retired. So, I really don't get your point.

 

I assume that's what you eat?

 

Someone wrote this as a list of fights that Bugner could have won. My comments are in bold.

1971......Oscar Bonavena - No way. Bugner was just a neophyte at the time, he was young, inexperienced and developing. Not ready for Bonavena. By 1974, though, Bugner was the better of the two.

1972......Floyd Patterson - In late 1972 Bugner may have been able to win this fight.

1973......Boone Kirkman -- Pepe: give it up. Kirkman was no match for any of the legitimate contenders, and that includes Bugner. No serious boxing fan believes Kirkman could have beaten Bugner.

1974.......Jerry Quarry -- By 1974, this fight could have gone either way, depending on whether Quarry brought his "A" game into the ring. Bugner would have beaten the weak Quarry who fought Frazier in 1974. On the other hand, the Quarry that beat Lyle and Shavers probably might have pounded out a decision over Bugner.

1975.......Ken Norton -- Norton had the edge on Bugner. Period. Stylistically and physically, Norton was all wrong for Bugner. Ken would have won this fight by wide UD.

1976.......Duane Bobick -- Easy win for Bugner.

1977.......Jimmy Young -- Could have gone either way.

1978.......Alfredo Evangilista -- Easy win for Bugner. Knockout.