Mike Weaver vs Joe Bugner

[Joson]

Both guys at their peaks, meaning the 1979-82 version of Mike "Hercules" Weaver vs the 1974-75 Joe Bugner. Ten, 12, or 15 rounds. Who wins and why?

[scorpio83]

Either Weaver outbox and outwork Bugner behind his jabs, body punches, left hooks and right hands to take a decision or Bugner would outbox him all the way behind his jabs and right hands to take a decision.

[oogiebe]

Bugner all the way by UD.

[Joson]

IMO, Hercules wins a very close split decision. The action would go kind of like Bugner's 1973 loss to Frazier – which was a barnburner - and Joe's 1977 loss to Lyle, in which he fought sluggishly but lost only by a slender margin on the scorecards.

Weaver – much like Frazier and Lyle – was a physically strong, power-punching fighter certain to bore into Bugner all night long. Under pressure, Joe tended to cover-up on the ropes, where he showed good defense, but conceded initiative and lost points to aggressive fighters who, like Weaver, had the tools to force him into a defensive shell.

During the infighting along the ropes, Weaver would sometimes land strong bodyshots and occasionally rock Bugner with power punches to the head. Bugner would show excellent durability and even score with occasional swiping, slapping punches of his own. But Weaver would win moments like this, and consequently, win more rounds than Joe.

From center ring, Joe would usually, but not always, get the better of Weaver. I imagine Bugner landing lots of stinging left-jabs during this moments. But Weaver would make the action competitive even at long-range, as he had an excellent left-jab of his own.

Again, I see this as a very competitive fight that would not be easy to score.

[Jaguar]

I seem to remember that Bugner v Weaver was planned during Bugner's first 'Aussie Joe' period, circa 1986-87 - and I think Bugner won have won that one. Either way, the fight didn't come off and Greg Page went in with Bugner instead.

Peak v peak, I dunno. I can see Joson's point, maybe Weaver to take a narrow decision. But I don't think Weaver was as good as either Lyle or Frazier and I reckon the Bugner who went in with Frazier beats Lyle. He was still mobile and quick at that point.

A couple of years later, Bugner was already starting to get a bit heavier and slower (see Ali v Bugner in 73 and then 75).

[Joson]

I seem to remember that Bugner v Weaver was planned during Bugner's first 'Aussie Joe' period, circa 1986-87 - and I think Bugner won have won that one. Either way, the fight didn't come off and Greg Page went in with Bugner instead.

Peak v peak, I dunno. I can see Joson's point, maybe Weaver to take a narrow decision. But I don't think Weaver was as good as either Lyle or Frazier and I reckon the Bugner who went in with Frazier beats Lyle. He was still mobile and quick at that point.

A couple of years later, Bugner was already starting to get a bit heavier and slower (see Ali v Bugner in 73 and then 75).

I remember that. It was in the spring of 1987, after Joe had started his comeback by beating James Tillis and David Bey. Weaver was indeed scheduled as Bugner's next opponent, but had to pull out of the fight for some reason.

I also believe Bugner would have beaten Weaver in 1987. By then both guys were far past their primes, but IMO, Bugner was less faded than Weaver.

BTW, I was an enthusiastic Bugner fan back then. I used to speak by phone with the sports reporters at the Gold Coast newspaper about Bugner's career and prospects. They were amused because I was willing to call halfway around the world to talk about Bugner (I'm from the US).

Later in 1987 the Aussie promoter tried to get Trevor Berbick to fight Joe in Gold Coast. But Berbick didn't accept the offer because he thought it represented too much risk for too little reward.

[Jaguar]

I seem to remember that Bugner v Weaver was planned during Bugner's first 'Aussie Joe' period, circa 1986-87 - and I think Bugner won have won that one. Either way, the fight didn't come off and Greg Page went in with Bugner instead.

Peak v peak, I dunno. I can see Joson's point, maybe Weaver to take a narrow decision. But I don't think Weaver was as good as either Lyle or Frazier and I reckon the Bugner who went in with Frazier beats Lyle. He was still mobile and quick at that point.

A couple of years later, Bugner was already starting to get a bit heavier and slower (see Ali v Bugner in 73 and then 75).

I remember that. It was in the spring of 1987, after Joe had started his comeback by beating James Tillis and David Bey. Weaver was indeed scheduled as Bugner's next opponent, but had to pull out of the fight for some reason.

I also believe Bugner would have beaten Weaver in 1987. By then both guys were far past their primes, but IMO, Bugner was less faded than Weaver.

BTW, I was an enthusiastic Bugner fan back then. I used to speak by phone with the sports reporters at the Gold Coast newspaper about Bugner's career and prospects. They were amused because I was willing to call halfway around the world to talk about Bugner (I'm from the US).

Later in 1987 the Aussie promoter tried to get Trevor Berbick to fight Joe in Gold Coast. But Berbick didn't accept the offer because he thought it represented too much risk for too little reward.

I didn't know about the prospect of Bugner v Berbick but I suspect that Bugner would have got the better of him too. Bugner was on a bit of a roll with those three wins against rated (but fading) Americans and he seemed to get motivated by the fact the Aussies got behind his comeback.

Bruno, who was young and hungry, was the wrong fight at the wrong time for Bugner at that time, but obviously the money was too good to turn down. I've always wondered how Bruno v Bugner would have gone had it taken place, say '83-84, though.

[Nile4000]

Weaver close UD.