BoxRec

Max Baer

Joe Louis

Rocky Marciano

George Foreman

Jerry Quarry

Jimmy Young

Ken Norton

Larry Holmes

Mike Tyson

Bonavena vs. Baer...

Baer down once in the 2nd, Bonavena floored in the 5th, 7th & 11th rounds. Bonavena deducted a point for butting in the 8th. Down by three points through ten rounds, Bonavena is floored for a third time in the 11th --- this time, for the count. An at-times brutal affair.

Baer KO11 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Louis...

It's another early knockdown for the bullish Argentinian, & another opponent he is unable to finish off. Louis, typically, is quick to recuperate &, going on the offensive --- primarily with aggressive, pin-point counter-punching, effectively picks Bonavena apart over the next six rounds, before the tough --- but ultimately outclassed --- Bonavena quits on the canvas.

Louis KO7 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Marciano...

It's savage, it's brutal, & it's grotesque --- nothing moreso than the hideous slit over Marciano's left eye through eight rounds. Bonavena would tire down the stretch, though, as his ability to rumble with Marciano's power & activity begin to wane...eventually, after a spirited effort, he succumbs to a corner retirement at the close of the 12th.

Marciano TKO12 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Foreman...

Bonavena attempts to get his man's respect early, snarling & spitting insults in the face of that trademark Foreman stare, & it's apparent he means every word, as he rings Foreman's bell with a big right in the opening round (think the 1st stanza of Foreman-Lyle). Foreman is quick to recover, though, & when the two stand & trade, man-to-man --- one is simply too big, too damaging, & too durable to lose. Two smashing knockdowns --- each particularly heavy --- are enough to turn the trick.

Foreman KO3 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Quarry...

Several good early rounds & a surprisingly big finish over the last two stanzas are the difference from an inspired Bonavena, who, despite being dominated with crisp, hard counter-punching for many of the middle rounds, eeks out a split decision over a Quarry who, at times, struggled in the exchanges. I'm guessing most will disagree with me here, but this is my pick for a fight between these two. Shame it didn't happen.

Bonavena SD15 Quarry

Bonavena vs. Young...

Like Quarry, Young uses quick hands & clever counters to befuddle Bonavena. Unlike Quarry, he keeps his feet moving, & rarely in this fight does he present a stationary target, though at the times he does, he gets the worst of it from the stronger Bonavena. The last four rounds are all Young, who's simply too slick, winning a fairly wide decision over a frustrated Bonavena.

Young UD15 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Norton...

Norton never hits the canvas, but is close to doing so in the 2nd, & in perilous danger again in the 8th, when Bonavena has him on the ropes & hurt from a series of thudding right & left hands at close range. Round four was Norton's best --- he was aggressive & active, battering a hurt Bonavena about the ring, but he couldn't put him down. In the 11th, a severe cut is apparent over Bonavena's right eye. It seems to weaken his resolve, &, as Norton comes home strong, Bonavena is reduced to holding & single shots for the last three rounds.

Norton UD15 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Holmes...

Not much to say, the way I see it. Holmes drops no more than four of fifteen rounds. It's dull, & predictable from about the 6th-onwards.

Holmes UD15 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Tyson

Fun while it lasts, & the crowd is treated to some real entertainment late in round one, when a sharp one-two by Tyson is greeted by Bonavena thumping his chest, smiling, & waving him on. It's no laughing matter when a crisp right (much like the one he floored Holmes with) stiffens Bonavena & deposits him on the ringmat. Bonavena reels about the ring for the next sixty seconds, & then, after being opened by four shots to the body, eats a hard left hook & a herculean uppercut --- Tyson's trademark blow --- which crushes any fight in him.

Tyson KO2 Bonavena

A record of 1-8. Really, Bonavena is over-matched, here. A good fighter with the odd great attribute, but too many flaws overall to win these fights.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:Bonavena vs. Baer...

Baer down once in the 2nd, Bonavena floored in the 5th, 7th & 11th rounds. Bonavena deducted a point for butting in the 8th. Down by three points through ten rounds, Bonavena is floored for a third time in the 11th --- this time, for the count. An at-times brutal affair.

Baer KO11 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Louis...

It's another early knockdown for the bullish Argentinian, & another opponent he is unable to finish off. Louis, typically, is quick to recuperate &, going on the offensive --- primarily with aggressive, pin-point counter-punching, effectively picks Bonavena apart over the next six rounds, before the tough --- but ultimately outclassed --- Bonavena quits on the canvas.

Louis KO7 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Marciano...

It's savage, it's brutal, & it's grotesque --- nothing moreso than the hideous slit over Marciano's left eye through eight rounds. Bonavena would tire down the stretch, though, as his ability to rumble with Marciano's power & activity begin to wane...eventually, after a spirited effort, he succumbs to a corner retirement at the close of the 12th.

Marciano TKO12 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Foreman...

Bonavena attempts to get his man's respect early, snarling & spitting insults in the face of that trademark Foreman stare, & it's apparent he means every word, as he rings Foreman's bell with a big right in the opening round (think the 1st stanza of Foreman-Lyle). Foreman is quick to recover, though, & when the two stand & trade, man-to-man --- one is simply too big, too damaging, & too durable to lose. Two smashing knockdowns --- each particularly heavy --- are enough to turn the trick.

Foreman KO3 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Quarry...

Several good early rounds & a surprisingly big finish over the last two stanzas are the difference from an inspired Bonavena, who, despite being dominated with crisp, hard counter-punching for many of the middle rounds, eeks out a split decision over a Quarry who, at times, struggled in the exchanges. I'm guessing most will disagree with me here, but this is my pick for a fight between these two. Shame it didn't happen.

Bonavena SD15 Quarry

Bonavena vs. Young...

Like Quarry, Young uses quick hands & clever counters to befuddle Bonavena. Unlike Quarry, he keeps his feet moving, & rarely in this fight does he present a stationary target, though at the times he does, he gets the worst of it from the stronger Bonavena. The last four rounds are all Young, who's simply too slick, winning a fairly wide decision over a frustrated Bonavena.

Young UD15 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Norton...

Norton never hits the canvas, but is close to doing so in the 2nd, & in perilous danger again in the 8th, when Bonavena has him on the ropes & hurt from a series of thudding right & left hands at close range. Round four was Norton's best --- he was aggressive & active, battering a hurt Bonavena about the ring, but he couldn't put him down. In the 11th, a severe cut is apparent over Bonavena's right eye. It seems to weaken his resolve, &, as Norton comes home strong, Bonavena is reduced to holding & single shots for the last three rounds.

Norton UD15 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Holmes...

Not much to say, the way I see it. Holmes drops no more than four of fifteen rounds. It's dull, & predictable from about the 6th-onwards.

Holmes UD15 Bonavena

Bonavena vs. Tyson

Fun while it lasts, & the crowd is treated to some real entertainment late in round one, when a sharp one-two by Tyson is greeted by Bonavena thumping his chest, smiling, & waving him on. It's no laughing matter when a crisp right (much like the one he floored Holmes with) stiffens Bonavena & deposits him on the ringmat. Bonavena reels about the ring for the next sixty seconds, & then, after being opened by four shots to the body, eats a hard left hook & a herculean uppercut --- Tyson's trademark blow --- which crushes any fight in him.

Tyson KO2 Bonavena

A record of 1-8. Really, Bonavena is over-matched, here. A good fighter with the odd great attribute, but too many flaws overall to win these fights.

Generally agree, but I see Oscar taking it at least a few rounds farther with Tyson.