Awkward Argentinian slugger Oscar Bonavena VS big punching, briefly reigning heavyweight champ Ingemar Johansson. What happens? Say the 68-70 version of Bonavena somewhere against the 58-60 or so version of Ingo?
Oscar would have stopped Ingo IMO. He would have decked him a few times along the way, and his strength and natural awkwardness would have actually helped him. He would have probably covered up a lot against the ropes as he did against Frazier and schlepped around the ring as he did vs Chuvalo, and I think he would have been successful in avoiding Ingo's big punches, though he would have been rattled a few times, and when he decided to unload on Johansson, I think he would have hurt him and would have decked him a few times enroute to a stoppage... maybe in 7 or 8.
I see it as a tossup. One of the weaker champs (especially linear) VS one of the tougher contenders. Oscar probably could've had his day against several of the lesser guys to be titlists like Morrison, Leon, Mercer, Coetzee, Weaver.
As you point out Ringo's awkwardness worked for him, you could not time him. I think Ingo would have a hard time lining Oscar up for his Bingo ,and Oscar's lunging clubbing punches, coming from unorthodox angles ,would mean real danger for the Swede.Toss up fight ,imo
Yes, Oscar's clumsiness worked with his strengh to an advantge for him..and he had no rhythm at all in his moves...which threw Ali off in their fight.
Morrison,Mercer werent considered real titlist, back then most didnt recognize the WBO..THey had good champions,but they also had alot of weak ones... That being said if Mercer was a champ he wouldnt have been a weak one, at least not the one who basically fought a near prime Holy and Prime Lewis to decisoions that were razor close.. Especially one with Lewis. But back to the point BOnavena would have been all wrong for Ingo.. Strong enough to work his way in and unleash hs bombs and tough enough to handle Thors hammer.. Ingo could hit and probably could rattle Oscar but he wouldnt ko him, he handled the best from Joe Fraizer in 2 fights, and dont think Ingo hit as hard as Joe and wouldnt get the chance to hit him as often.. I think Ingo tags him good early and wins some early rounds, but withing a few rounds Bonavena would be putting it on him probably dropping him a few times along the way before putting on the finsihing touches... Bonavena Ko 6.
I know the WBO wasn't given the same weight back then, but I look at them on the same level as the Weavers and Coetzees. Mercer would have been a weak one, imo, so I disagree. Not physically weak, but he's too inconsistent to be anything but a weak titlist. The best guys that he ran close>>>Mercer. If you could freeze him at his best, that's one thing, but the guy was woefully off and on. That spells weaker titlist to me. Giving hard fights to the best does not a strong champion make. It's winning those fights that does it.
Considering the way Ellis and Folley were able to shut Ringo down with quick sneak right hands, I wouldn't see why Ingemar couldn't do the same.
