BoxRec

Both dropped razor close decisions to Ronnie Lyle that year. What would happen if they fought each other?

I'm guessing Bugner by points, possibly close on points, in a terrible fight that lacks action.

Difficult one to call, this.

Ward was still fairly inexperienced but was a man on his way up around that time. I don't think he's got the artillery to hurt Bugner like Lyle did though so I'm going for big Joe on points. It just depends on which version of Bugner turns up though, maybe he loses if he has an off night - and Bugner had plenty of those over the years.

Jaguar wrote: ↑23 May 2023, 10:13 Difficult one to call, this.

Ward was still fairly inexperienced but was a man on his way up around that time. I don't think he's got the artillery to hurt Bugner like Lyle did though so I'm going for big Joe on points. It just depends on which version of Bugner turns up though, maybe he loses if he has an off night - and Bugner had plenty of those over the years.

It's amazing that Ward had only ten pro fights before meeting Lyle. He fought more like a veteran of with forty bouts under his belt.

No, Ward couldn't have hurt Bugner. But he might have neutralized Joe's boxing tactics, outsmarted him, and landed more punches, especially at close quarters. Ward's big size - 6'3" and 230 lbs - would come in handy here too.

IMO, Joe - who had 60 pro fights by 1977 - would seem that much better than the inexperienced Ward. It's shocking to realize Bugner might very well of have lost this one.