Not so much a 'who would win' scenario,obviously. More a 'How well would Bugner do in losing to Louis' scenario. Bugner was a durable fighter who went the distance with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Would he last as long against Louis ?
I don't think JB goes the distance with JL. Yes, he endured against the relatively light punching (in comparison to Louis) Ali and a slightly past it Frazier, but when you read what Bugner says about he pain he was for weeks after his fight with Lyle, I really believe Louis would put more hurt on Bugner and stop him.
No is the quick answer - if we're talking the prime time Louis of the Baer fight then he might last about as long as Baer maybe 4 or 5 rounds if Louis wants to go home early - the younger Frazier would've stopped Bugner mid-to-late I think - lasting the distance with an Ali the wrong side of 1971 doesn't really put him on a whole different plane either to be honest - practically everyone lasted the distance with the second coming
Joe "The Bug" Bugner was a top 10 to 12 heavyweight in my book back in the 1970s and early 1980s, but never the cream of the crop.... However, had Joe Bugner been fighting in the 1940s, he would've been top-5 material for Joe Louis to pound on.... Joe Bugner was much better than some of the sorry mothers that Joe Louis KO'd during his long reign at the top.... bbb MR.BILL:hat
yeah, Bugner a good fighter for sure. If Arturo Godoy could go 15 with Louis, Abe Simon 13 I dont see Bugner not being able to. Louis UD
Louis by stoppage by any way. Bugner seemed to be very durable in his prime but I doubt he could sustain punishment over 15 rounds. even if he goes into survival mode like he did against Ali it won't be enough; Louis hits harder then Ali, cuts the ring off better, and was just a better fighter then that verison. Louis would most definitely be the best fighter Bugner ever would fight. Louis wins by mid rounds stoppage.
I agree with this assessment. Bugner would be well outpointed,but it's quite on the cards that he goes the distance.
Joe Bugner was had a good chin, and was very fast on his feet - in revesre gear, and very good at being ackward, Given that Joe Louis was not the fastest thing on two Legs, and that Bugner did have that very engrained Safety first Attitude, i can see him Mucking Louis about and Emulating Tommy Farrs Feat of Going the Distance - Albeit not in the Same competitive manner, on a number of occassions Louis would probably catch Bugner a Good Shot, But Bugner would probably then clinch, clutch, and Scamper away behind a distracting Jab, - Bugner is not the Usual type of "Big Slow Lummox" his size might indicate, and what Louis usually Fed on, in the Leg, Mobility Dept Bugner is better than most. Bugner is not going to stay glued to the ropes, and He is not going to amble about like Fred Qwynne during his day job - minus the Bolts ! ala Abe Simon Bugner Bugs Louis and acheives his main aim - the Final Bell. Any Rematch would be where the true predatory instincts of Louis would be unleashed, he would Assimillate all the infomation from the first encounter.