Joe Bugner vs. the 70's Heavyweights he didn't fight

Bugner-Foreman: Foreman would probably stop Bugner in 7 rounds or so. However, I give Bugner a half decent chance of surviving Foreman's onslaught, and coming back to win late, possibly by TKO.

Bugner-Norton: Physically and stylistically, Norton had Bugner's number. Norton wins this one by wide UD.

Bugner-Young: This is a pick 'em fight. Young was the superior talent; quicker and more fluid, but Bugner had the style and tools to win this. Either way, it goes the distance.

Bugner-Quarry: Prime for prime, Quarry would have pounded out a tough decision over Bugner. However, if this fight had happened in 1974 or 1975, Bugner would beaten Quarry handily by decision.

Bugner-Shavers: Prime for prime, this is a pick 'em fight. The 1982 bout took place when both guys were over the hill (Bugner especially was not prepared for the fight), and tells us little.

Bugner-Golota: This would have been an excellent fight. These fighters were very closely matched in terms of talent and size. Golota was the more aggressive fighter, and the harder hitter. Bugner was a superior boxer with a better jab. Pick 'em: it goes the distance, too close to call.

 

Joe Bugner versus Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit in January 1974, 'a must'.

Joe Bugner versus Roy 'Tiger' Williams in April 1974.

 

Bit of a misconception, re Shavers - Bugner, perhaps stemming from the Earnie Shavers KO Highlight Tape, Earnie Dropped old Joe in the first, but did not KO him, Joe was stopped in the second round due to a cut, and at the time he was actually coming back at Earnie who was not looking too comfortable...

Joe Lost to Larry Middleton on the way up, got Floored and had his Jaw Broken, Larry was a prospect himself then, and subsequently lost a close one to quarry, Joes beating of Foster and Ellis came when these guys had seen better days, so Joes victories over "Names"should also be seen in context.

 

Bugner vs.

Foreman L KO 4 or he would win a UD15

Norton L UD 15

Young L UD 15/KO10

Quarry L SD15 or W SD15

Shavers (during Bugner's prime years) W KO12

Also, how about Bugner vs. Golota? boring fight with a KO winner

 

Foreman - An intriguing one. Foreman's the one top fighter that I'd give Bugner a chance of upsetting.

Norton - Styles maketh the fight. Just as Foreman would destroy Norton any day of the week,Joe has far less chance of scoring an upset against Ken. Norton by clear decision.

Young - Jimmy's speed would be the deciding factor. Young on points. Dreary fight to watch.

Quarry - Bugner COULD win this one. Depends on whether he fights at his best. If so,Joe takes decision. Otherwise Quarry on points.

Shavers - Joe takes close decision.

 

Jimmy Quarry told me when they were in London, Jerry handled Bugner with insulting ease, "Joe Bugner never got off the ropes!" He had problems with they real elite aggressive fighter's. Quarry would beat Bugner, easier than you could say, BODELL, MIDDLETON, LYLE OR SHAVERS!

 

I agree 100%. Quarry would have handled Bugner with ease.

 

Bugner's win over the 5 inches shorter, Brian London was in London's last fight. Doubt if Big Joe's safety first style would have been enough to worry Quarry. In Jerry's 2 appearances in the UK, he beat Middleton and destroyed Bodell, both of whom had beaten Bugner. Quarry usually took care of big lumps, at his best, without much trouble.

 

I'll be as succinct as possible here...all the names listed would have beaten Bugner.

 

I agree to that as well. He's not going to peck and poke his way against any of the guys mentioned on this list.

 

His safety first style would have possibly got him through a few rounds against foreman. But see foreman eventually catching him about the fifth. Quarry and young out point him. He d be be doing well against Norton until mid rounds until he's dropped, then he goes in safety mode and loses the decision.

 

It would all depend on Joe Bugner.

Joe had all the talent in the world. If he wanted to win, really win, you can make a strong case in each of these fights. He was potentially that good. At least as good as any non champion of that era. Ali, for one, really rated Bugner.

So Joe could have been as good as he wanted to be, but too often if the money was what he wanted, and he was satisfied with the purse, his attitude would be "we are both getting paid enough" and not actually care if he lost. He would just want to be unscathed enough to go out for a meal and enjoy his money after the fight. The higher the steaks the less interested he was. Boxing was only a job to Joe. That was his mind set.

Other fights he really showed burning ambition to take him into the next fight on a higher stage. On those nights he really showed who he was really. but he never would bring any of that into a truly big fight.