The way I see it, Gibbs walked over, looked over Braverman's shoulder and stopped the fight. Now, compare that to the Kaylor-Walker fight, which I mentioned before that starts in the 6th round and Kaylor is cut seconds into the round. And please, watch it to the end and tell me again that undue considerations weren't made. This content is protected
I dont know that I would call this a big win. Wepner was terrible and is only remembered today because he was Liston's last fight and because he was selected as a sacrificial lamb for Ali. To put this fight into perspective Wepner was unranked and coming off a loss to a geriatric Liston less than three months earlier in which he lost every round and suffered 72 stitches worth of cuts, a broken nose, and a cracked cheekbone. And less than three months later he was facing Bugner. Wepner lost his next fight to 11-1-1 Jerry Judge. Judge would win just four of his next 11 fights. Wepner was predictably stopped by Bugner on cuts in a fight that wouldnt even be allowed to take place today as Wepner would have been on medical suspension by todays rules in order to provide time to let his cuts heal. I dont think Wepner was any better or bigger a fighter than several guys Bugner beat around that time.
I think Wepner is remembered because he gave Ali a good fight, and even knocked him down (anyone who disagrees with the knockdown might as well howl at the moon because it was an official knockdown)
Ali was fat, out of shape, and hadnt trained because he knew Wepner was a pushover. He still won handily and stopped Wepner. Everyone knows it wasnt a legit KD.
I always howl at the moon anyway, even when it’s not out. Tbh, it was one of most ridiculous KDs ever ruled. An insult to the fighters who actually put Ali down legitimately. The KD ruled against Hagler vs Roldan is right up there as ridiculous also, imo.
I’d say Bugner’s best performance was probably vs Frazier. Frazier’s pressure brought some nice aggression out of the otherwise peaceful Joe - overall a very good fight..and very close also. Suffice to say, I really like “That One”.