Prime for prime, also I’m curios why this didn’t happen was Oscar deceased by the time this was a factor?
Oscar died in 1976, this fight should have happened along with Bonavena-Quarry IMO i would have to favour Ken to win a decision as i think his jab and crab defense is enough to neutralise Oscar's offense. However, i have always found it difficult to analyse Bonavena's power. Was Bonavena a puncher on Lyle's level? If he was even close, he could score a tko. It should have happened around 1972-73
Ye, I recall reading that the fight was already to happen but tragically Oscar was murdered. As for the fight Ill say Norton on points but Oscar could easily turn it around with a ko.
I think of Hearns in the way that I think of Jimmy Ellis. Neither was a guy I think of with raw power. I think of them more as good boxers who would set up a single big punch with a sneak right hand. Look at what Hearns did to Schuler. Most of the time Hearns knocked somebody down it was from a single punch, not a barrage. Cuevas and Duran being additional example of this.
Bonavena was out when Norton was going in. Norton got it big in '73, and Bonavena fought his last notable and decent fight in '74. Norton would have won probably a close but unanimous decision. Good fight for sure.
It was supposed to happen March 24, 1975, on the closed-circuit undercard of Ali-Wepner. I think I've got this straight: The fight was supposed to be Foreman-Bonavena. Then Foreman pulled out and Norton stepped in, thus Norton-Bonavena. Then Bonavena pulled out and Jimmy Young stepped in. Then Young pulled out and Jerry Quarry stepped in.
If Norton wasn't the only one Foreman fought around that time frame, I would be asking you who Foreman actually ended up fighting.
That's right, except Young didn't back out. He was suggested by Don King as the replacement but then rejected - by the promotional company or by Norton's manager, depending on who you choose to believe.
