Ron Lyle vs. Oscar Bonavena

Ron Lyle 216 lbs beat Oscar Bonavena 207 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12

• Date: 1974-03-19
• Location: Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, USA
• Referee: Joe Ullmer 52-46
• Judge: Ray Keech 56-55
• Judge: Danny Loos 55-51

"Heavyweight Ron Lyle battled his way to a 12 round unanimous decision over Argentine Oscar Bonavena Tuesday night in a bout in which neither man was able to put the other to the canvas. Bonavena opened the bout by moving quickly in on Lyle with a roundhouse left. He followed up with numerous left hooks and uppercuts through the first two rounds before taking to the defense as Lyle retaliated. Lyle bruised Bonavena under the right eye in the 6th round and Bonavena's face remained puffy the rest of the way. Aware he was behind in the scoring, however, Bonavena came on strong in the last two rounds and both men traded punches freely despite being obviously tired." -Associated Press

• • Attendance - 10,807
  • This bout had been postponed for three weeks due to a liver ailment suffered by Bonavena.
  • Lyle was penalized a point in the 10th round due to a low blow.
  • It was reported that Lyle's promoters offered heavyweight champ George Foreman a $750,000 cash guarantee to defend his title against Lyle in Denver tentatively for the summer of '74.

Post fight comment

• "He's a bull. He's more physical than Jerry Quarry with not quite as much finesse. Quarry was sharper but Bonavena hit heavier and came at me all the time." -Ron Lyle