Joe Bugner V David Tua ?

Has Bugner got what it takes to defeat Tua ?
Or does Joe join the list of Tuas ko victims?
10 round s

 

Bugner goes 10 rds, but loses in a wide UD due to 2 knockdowns.

 

I think Bugner could hustle his way to a points win.

 

Yep ,he could be a tough old bird could Joe ,he proved his heart in the Joe Frazier fight .Of course there were other fight s where he lacked fire .But I'd say he'd take Tua the distance but as u say ,maybe making a trip or two to the canvas.

 

I am torn...I see this as a 50/50 matchup...I can see either outcome as a strong possibility...not sure which way to go?

 

Well Joe had talent no doubts, but as with Jack Sharkey ,its which Bugner shows up in the ring .Saying that Tua could be out boxed ,he had flaws as well as violent hooks !

 

If u study both men s records you can definitely come to that conclusion Phil .Both guys had ups and down s.

 

Let’s say the Bugner that fought Frazier.
Actually I think it may be quite a clear decision.

 

Bugner at his best would stand Tua on his head .would that version turn up ? Tough question.

 

Aussie Joe was a gifted fighter but like many gifted fighters he never fulfilled his potential because of confidence problems. A 10 rd fight between Bugner and Tua i would pick Bugner. A World Title fight like Howard Davis somehow Bugner would find a way to lose and probably via some late knockdowns.

 

I agree with you. If Joe's in his 'up for it mood'

 

Bugner had speed, could jab and move and had a terrific chin .. I can see him outpointing Tua unless it's the Tua that fought Ike .... that guy beats up Joe.

 

Bugner is defensive with a good chin, movement and too much of a jab for Tua to out point. I think Bugner would gain confidence as the rounds progress and would take the decision. Tua could not box.

 

Either bugner frustrates tua with his defensive cautious style constantly jabbing grabing and avoiding shots to win a very ugly and uneventful split decision.

Or.

Tua grits his teeth and endures a barrage of jabs and uppercuts to tear away at bugners belly and corner him against the ropes like frazier did. Tua drops him around the 6th and then bugner goes in survival mode like he's known to do, coasting several rounds to recover and losing a wide ud due to a lack of offense.

Either scenario is possible since both guys lacked heart when they were frustrated and unable to fight at a pace they found comfortable. We saw tua freeze up against the similarly tall and cautious Lewis and swung at air against the elusive Byrd. Likewise, the late Sir Henry Cooper correctly pointed out to Bugner that he was content to simply survive and didnt always try his hardest to win. I'd say it slightly favors Tua 6/10 if theyre both in shape at their best.