Ali vs. Bonavena

[potatoes]

History has almost forgotten Oscar Bonavena but he was one of the toughest guys to put on gloves. He went 25 hard rounds in two fight against Joe Frazier, back when Frazier was in his prime. He even went toe-to-toe with the hard punching Ron Lyle and survived, not many men can brag about that. Strangely enough Muhammad Ali knocked him out in the 15 round of a gruelling fight which many people though Bonavena was winning. Here he is giving Ali hell in the 9th round:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu3vI...elated&search=

[Mr. Ryan]

Bonavena was a bad man, a real tough character. He lived fast and lived hard, and fought his ass off every which way in the ring. Ali's late round knockout was crazy, Bonavena tried like hell to stay in there but he couldn't remain on his feet. He was really out of it by that point. Bonavena died in a car accident some years I ago I recall.

[Yogi]

Bonavena died in a car accident some years I ago I recall.

He was murdered in 1976 while enjoying the company of some of Nevada's finest "ladies" at the famous Mustang Ranch in Reno.

[GasPed]

I remember watching this fight as a kid. Afterwards, Ali embraced Oscar and saluted him as one of the toughest guys he'd ever fought (I think he said "I love you, man" IIRC). Ali was completely wiped after that fight - he looked a lot like he did after Thrilla.

[El Pollo LoCo]

great fight for oscar, really had me thinkin he was gonna win when i saw it. very underrated

[potatoes]

Bonavena was a bad man, a real tough character. He lived fast and lived hard, and fought his ass off every which way in the ring. Ali's late round knockout was crazy, Bonavena tried like hell to stay in there but he couldn't remain on his feet. He was really out of it by that point. Bonavena died in a car accident some years I ago I recall.

.....actually he was shot in a whore house. There are various stories about his death, and life too. I think it would make a great screen play.

[butterfly1964]

Yeah, Ali stopped bonavena within 15 rounds, when Frazier couldn't do it in 25. But Somehow Ali is featherfisted. Funny stuff!!

[hemichromis]

History has almost forgotten Oscar Bonavena but he was one of the toughest guys to put on gloves. He went 25 hard rounds in two fight against Joe Frazier, back when Frazier was in his prime. He even went toe-to-toe with the hard punching Ron Lyle and survived, not many men can brag about that. Strangely enough Muhammad Ali knocked him out in the 15 round of a gruelling fight which many people though Bonavena was winning. Here he is giving Ali hell in the 9th round:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu3vI...elated&search=

like shavers and norton, bonavena was a ggreat boxer who was unfortunate enough to have been in the golden age of boxing when the competition was the strongest in history. if he had come up at another time he could have been champ

[kayjay]

Yeah, Ali stopped bonavena within 15 rounds, when Frazier couldn't do it in 25. But Somehow Ali is featherfisted. Funny stuff!!

Yeah history has been hard on Ali compared to the way Frazier is revered

[BoxingFan2]

I saw Ali - Bonavena on ESPN classic. Ali was in comftorable lead going into 15th round. Bonavena needed a knock down to win, but it was Ali who scored a knock out. First Frazier - Bonavena fight was very close. Frazier was down twice in second round. I believe Frazier won split decision.