Joe Bugner vs. John L. Gardner

[scorpio83]

15 Rounds Heavyweight Bout

Bugner would outbox Gardner behind his long jabs, right hands and combinations to either take a decision or late round stoppage. What do you guys think and who do you got?

[goose 5]

mismatch, Bugner dominates and stops John L.

[HomicideHenry]

Despite his global ranking, John L. Gardner was not a genuine world beater. He was good/great at the British Empire & Commonwealth level, but he couldn't quite get over the hump. Then again had he fought guys like Tex Cobb instead of Michael Dokes, etc we would probably have ranked him among the better British heavyweights. Bad matchmaking beyond the European level is what held him back in my view retrospectively.

Bugner did not have killer instinct or much power, but he was awkward and tough. He was a shade or two above Gardner in overall ability. But then again, everytime he stepped up he basically lost too. I don't think that many people ever took to him either because of the controversial win over Henry Cooper.

I'd say Bugner by majority decision. I think Gardner's swarming style might win him enough rounds where a judge might say, "He tried to make a fight at least," while the other two judges see all the jabs Bugner landed and all the clinches he forced on Gardner and say, "Bugner was in control and halted Gardner's progress."

[cannonball]

Gardner was a decent british/euro level HW in the era between Bugner and Bruno. He was fortunate to win the vacant European title against the very average Rudi Gauwe and defend against the moderately talented but fragile Lorenzo Zanon.
In truth he was in way over his head against Dokes and if he would have fought the likes of Tex Cobb i am pretty sure he would have been pretty badly mauled.

Bugner wins this - an inspired Bugner gets a stoppage 8/9 rounds.

Gardner v Alfredo Evangalista would have been a more winnable fight...........tho I am not sure John L. would have won that one either

[Joson]

Bugner whips Gardner, most likely by decision or mid-to-late round KO. But Gardner would be extremely competitive for as long as it lasts.

John was tenacious and aggressive. Watch his KO defeat against Dy amite Dokes. Notice how scrappy Gardner fought. He got wiped out, but put some serious heat on Dokes for a few rounds. This tells us something about how he'd fare against Bugner, who tended to cover up on the ropes whenever pressured.

But still, even in spite of excessive defensiveness, Joe was much too good to lose to Gardner.