George Foreman (1973) vs Joe Bugner(1975)

[Saurfang]

12 rounds. Pick your winner.

[gilgamesh]

Foreman would beat the sh*t out of, and either stop Bugner or win a very, very lopsided decision. Bugner was tough, and would be durable and last some rounds, but he doesn't have the pop to take out George, and the best he could hope for is lasting the distance, but taking a horrendous beating. I doubt Bugner is tough enough to take all a Prime Foreman had to give, but it's not impossible.

George wins though is the only outcome I can see.

[Joson]

Foreman would beat the sh*t out of, and either stop Bugner or win a very, very lopsided decision. Bugner was tough, and would be durable and last some rounds, but he doesn't have the pop to take out George, and the best he could hope for is lasting the distance, but taking a horrendous beating. I doubt Bugner is tough enough to take all a Prime Foreman had to give, but it's not impossible.

George wins though is the only outcome I can see.

I agree that the outcome is probably something like this, although Bugner - who had a pretty good defense - may not have taken as much punishment as you indicate. At least not until the end, when George steps it up and finishes matters by KO.

On the other hand, if Bugner's still standing after five or six rounds, and if he's not too terribly battered, then his chances of victory would skyrocket. That's because the 1970s version of Foreman had stamina problems. Watch the later rounds of his Jimmy Young fight: the exhausted George flounders like a drunken mummy.

[keithmoonhangover]

Bugner points.

[scorpio83]

I prefer under 15 rounders not 12 since the championship match from the 1970s were still 15 rounders at the time, between the two from their peak versions, Foreman would either take a decision or stopping Bugner late after he landed more jabs, left hooks, right hands and combinations.

[Cent0089]

Foreman just too strong. Can see this going to the distance TBH

[Joson]

Bugner points.

What's your evaluation of how the fight plays out? What strengths and weaknesses do you see in each guy, and how does that impact your decision?

[keithmoonhangover]

Bugner points.

What's your evaluation of how the fight plays out? What strengths and weaknesses do you see in each guy, and how does that impact your decision?

I think Joe spoils for the first five and outboxes George for the remaining rounds.

[Tony1244]

I always thought Bugner would have had a chance of pulling a Jimmy (Young) against Big George. Bugner could take a great shot.

Most likely result: Foreman KO 4

Possible result: Young Decision.

[Joson]

Bugner points.

What's your evaluation of how the fight plays out? What strengths and weaknesses do you see in each guy, and how does that impact your decision?

I think Joe spoils for the first five and outboxes George for the remaining rounds.

I remember there was a sizeable minority of boxing experts, back in 1974-76, who thought the same exact thing. I remember the speculation in the magazines. But we're talking about Bugner functioning at his very, very best. Like he did against Ali and Frazier in 1973, and to a lesser extent, Jorgen Blin in 1972. I agree: that version of Bugner would be a very live underdog against Foreman.