We've given ken Norton a lot of airtime lately. And why not ? Take the 1973-76 Norton and put him in with the Bonavena of 1968-1970. 15 rounds. I predict a close yet decisive points win for Ken after a torrid scrap. Norton's better boxing would carry him through,and Bonavena did n't have the punch to stop him,imo.
I'm thinking Norton. Bonavena would have been a hard fought win as Mcvey has already pointed out, but I don't see Oscar as having either the kind of super punching power nor elite boxing ability that it often took to beat a man like Ken. You had to be at the extreme on one end or the other and Bonavena just doesn't fit the bill.
Bonavena could definitely crack never doubt it. I suggest that the question is not whether he had the power to stop Norton but whether he had the technique to realise that goal.
Bonavena did indeed have power, but he was clumsy and short and needed a lot of leverage to get off his shots. Usually a faster boxer could see it coming and not be there when the shots arrived. He was awkward as hell, and could give anybody trouble, and actually did, with the possible exception of Zora Folley in their first fight, in which I believe Folley pitched a shutout or very nearly in dealing Bonavena his first pro loss. Whether he could beat Norton or not would depend on how evasive Norton could be in offsetting Oscar's awkwardness, and avoid getting tagged on the chin by the Argentine roughneck. Ellis and Ali were able to deal with him, though not without some effort, and both had on their side a certain well advertised mobility. Frazier of course hit the deck twice in that first fight, and in both fights, only won through his high volume attack, though he never ever threatened to deck Bonavena. How would Norton have done the trick? He didn't have the swarmimg style of Frazier, nor the footspeed or chin of Ali or even Ellis...
Remember how a crude slugger like Scott LeDoux was able to rough up Norton and nearly turn things around completely, and in fact, did get a draw in their fight. Well, it may have not been Norton at his best, but Bonavena was a cut at least above LeDoux, and a much more dangerous customer, and may have upset Kenny with his roughness and awkward power.
I wouldn't say LeDoux was a crude slugger, but then again neither was Bonavena. When Bonavena wanted to, he could be very crafty indeed, just like LeDoux. Still, I think a prime Norton wins a close decision. I don't think Bonavena had the "destroyer" approach needed to stop Norton and I think Norton was the superior boxer.
Norton at that stage of his career wans't too far beyond the Ali of Spinks I and II. Doesn't mean much.
It would have been a close affair, with it going either way, though I'm inclined to say Kenny just takes this from Oscar.
it would be a tough fight, but i think ken norton would pull it out. anyway they are both very awkward to watch especially bonavena
They were supposed to fight in March of 1975 but Bonavena hurt his back and was replaced by Jerry Quarry. Rumor has it there were money squables with the promoter and he really could have fought - who knows? The next year he was tragically killed at the Mustang Ranch in Reno. I think Norton would have won if the fight had taken place.
75% chance it ends in a decision for Norton. 25% chance it's a knockout for Bonavena. Or maybe 80 and 20. Edit: Maybe 85 and 15.
