BoxRec

In March 1973 Oscar Bonavena was scheduled to fight Ken Norton in MSG, but had to pull out about a week before the fight. Instead, Jerry Quarry was brought in on a weeks notice and met Quarry in a very exciting slugfest before running out of gas and getting TKO'd. While I don't think Bonavena was as good a technician as Quarry, he was very tough and was a very hard puncher. Any thoughts on how this fight would have turned out had it actually taken place?

I think Norton was just coming into his own, and Bonavena was coming off a loss to an ancient Floyd Patterson. I like Norton by decision in a defensive fight.

The Great John L wrote:In March 1973 Oscar Bonavena was scheduled to fight Ken Norton in MSG, but had to pull out about a week before the fight. Instead, Jerry Quarry was brought in on a weeks notice and met Quarry in a very exciting slugfest before running out of gas and getting TKO'd. While I don't think Bonavena was as good a technician as Quarry, he was very tough and was a very hard puncher. Any thoughts on how this fight would have turned out had it actually taken place?

Are you sure? March '73 Norton upset Ali...

Sweet Scientist wrote:
Are you sure? March '73 Norton upset Ali...

Yes, you are correct. I meant March '75. I should remember this because it was simulcast on CC to the Richfield Coliseum where Ali fought Wepner. I was a Jr in HS and my father and I went to see Ali/Wepner. It wasn't much of a fight, but at least I got to see Ali in person. And the Norton/Quarry match was short but sweet.

Bonavena would have had a tougher time than Quarry and probably fail to get the job done. It would go the distance and Ken would work his way to pretty solid win. IMHO