Joe Bugner

[Old bones Ian]

and the fight was good as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1YTAG9Fkqk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4VihFz1 ... re=related

[stujones]

It was a bizarre documentary - interesting but bizarre! No footage of the fight, just of the build up.

Was it piping hot that day, there seemed to be lots of people taking their tops off (beside the boxers).

[fatcity69]

Great stuff I thought. Ive always liked Bugner and its a shame that he was virtually hounded out of this country and never given a break by most of the public and press at large... he has probably the most impressive records of any British heavyweight after Lennox Lewis but lost a lot of his desire due to the adverse publicity he attracted following his win over Cooper.

[jamesmcdonnell]

he also fought very negatively,which didnt endear him to the public, he was a big ol boy, but fought very conservatively. A very good fighter, would have won a title in todays climate.

[yiddo14]

I reckon he could land a title shot if he dusted the gloves off!

[fatcity69]

he also fought very negatively,which didnt endear him to the public, he was a big ol boy, but fought very conservatively. A very good fighter, would have won a title in todays climate.

I agree he put in some negative performances later on in his career but I really think he got too much stick for some of his earlier performances, such as the ALi fights and the Lyle fight. He was slated for his world title effort against Ali yet having watched the fight a few times myself I think he fought the right fight in the circumstances, it was actually a good close tactical fight. I find it ironic and rather sad that Cooper gained so much more credit for being stopped twice against Ali than Bugner gained from going the distance twice in close fights with Ali. And then his fight against Frazier is often just ignored. The thing about Bugner was that he was a boxer and counterpuncher rather than an all out 'fighter' but his boxing skills were too often seen as negativity. Later on against Marvis Frazier and Tangstaed for instance he was very negative but I think he had long since lost his appitite for the game by then.
Its interesting that Bugner was a lot more positive in his later comebacks after he had moved to aussie land and actually found himself some support from the fans over there, I really think the negative attitude of the press and public here had a huge effect on him, as he has said so himself recently.

[Old bones Ian]

remember that Bugner turned pro at 17, and one of his opponents died after a fight when Bugner was only 19, this must of had a massive effect on him. I think they may of been one of the reasons he sometimes switched off in fights, and was accused of not punching his full weight at times.

[fatcity69]

remember that Bugner turned pro at 17, and one of his opponents died after a fight when Bugner was only 19, this must of had a massive effect on him. I think they may of been one of the reasons he sometimes switched off in fights, and was accused of not punching his full weight at times.

Yes I forgot to mention that which must have had a devastating effect on him, especially at such a young age, may well have contributed to him becming a more thinking counter punching boxer rather than a more aggressive all out type of fighter.

[fatcity69]

remember that Bugner turned pro at 17, and one of his opponents died after a fight when Bugner was only 19, this must of had a massive effect on him. I think they may of been one of the reasons he sometimes switched off in fights, and was accused of not punching his full weight at times.

I cant recall Bugner ever publicly talking about the death or its effect on him, must be too painful still to recall.