Joe Bugner v linear champions

Assuming you match him against those men at their best, I wouldn't pick him against any of them.

 

I suppose any solid contender would have had a chance against the very weakest claimants of all time, but that doesn't bolster much of an argument for calling someone a potential champ.

Joe Bugner was a durable opponent with a large and sclupted physique, which complimented his survival tactics and ability to go the distance against top fighters, or even pull off an upset against someone decent once in a while.. He's not a man that I have ever really considered as world champion material though. Sure, he might have upset Leon Spinks on the night that Coetzee iced him in one round, but if that's what we're going by, then I can think of probably 35 or 40 other non-champions who might have done the same thing...

 

I would pick him over Jess Willard, Bob Fitzsimmons, Tommy Burns, Leon Spinks, 1990's George Foreman, Marvin Hart, Primo Carnera, Shannon Briggs and maybe James Braddock.


Joe Bugner would have no shot vs Jack Sharkey. Sharkey was a giant killer(Carnera I, Godfrey, Wills).

 

Clearly, he would KO Lewis.

 

I think you guys are underated Willard and Carnera imo.

I dont see Bugner beating the Carnera that ko Sharkey, or the motive mind of Jess Willard in 1915 under the same ruleset that is.

 

Through styles, i have always felt that "Big Joe" might have had a good shot at outpointing James J. Jefferies. ! to many, i suspect that this may sound like the ramblings of a mad person, but think about it - one of James's big asset's was his durability - but Bugner would not contend with this - he would not be trying to knock James out, wearing himself out in the process, and James's Crouch would avail him little against Joe, who would be standing off, trying to rack up points with that pesky Jab, Joe is very durable in his own right, and being as big as James, if not Bigger, James would not find it anywhere near as easy to manhandle "big Joe" as he may of done Fitzimmonds and Corbett amonst others, If Jeff thought trying to corner the shifty James Corbett was difficult, he may be amazed at the shifty footwork of the much bigger Mr. Bugner. ? There was nothing wrong with Joe's Stamina either, so he couldnt be counted on to fade in the home stretch.

I think Joe Bugner Vs James J Jefferies may be ne of the very few occassions when an Acknowledged Great Fighter may of been beaten by a sometimes acknowledged good fighter - through styles. - and perhaps a Ref who is quick to break up fights that move inside and does not allow any mauling which can wear a mobile boxer down.

 

I agree, he's not beating Willard or Carnera. He'd definitely be firmly in his play-it-safe mode against such big strong opponents. Both would pound out a victory over him.

 

It is funny how people always start with champions from the early days when thinking about opponents. How about going a little closer to home.

Shannon Briggs was a lineal champ with little chance to beat Joe in his prime, Hasim Rahman wasnt as good Bugner. And if now consider Wladimir Klitchsko a lineal champ, he must have a big question mark with how he deals with that spoiling style which would still get a few decent shots through to him on a reasonably regular basis (as opposed to Willard or Carnera who have an unquestioned chin and stamina).