Could Oscar Bonavena have beaten.............?

Question

John Tate, Mike Weaver, or Michael Dokes in title fights?

Answer 1

Ringo was a tough fight really for anyone.  He was a rather crude but hard punching fighter.  He lost a very controversial decision to Joe Frazier who he knocked down twice when they fought their first fight.  He also fought a very tough fight against Muhammad Ali losing by 15th round TKO, the first time Ringo was ever stopped in his career.  I believe that he would have been too aggressive for Tate to handle and would have won by a late rounds technical knockout.  Mike Weaver would have been a good fight as they are both tough with good power.  I think Bonavena wins the decision.  Against Dokes, I believe that he overcomes the speed and early rounds and wears down Dokes and wins by late rounds stoppage.  Yes if Oscar had of fought in that era, he may have been a champion.

Answer 2

Ah, the 80s babies, as I like to call that era.  They were tough heavyweights.  However, so many of them were lazy and didn't like to train.  All these pretenders and a few others held the worthless WBA title during the time the Real Champion, Larry Holmes,  held the slightly more valuable WBC title.  

Bonavena wasn't that good.  He couldn't box for anything but he was like a Hvt version of Chavez in that he could take unbelievable amounts of punishment.  Also he's proof that Joe Frazier enjoys his status among the best heavyweights largely due to his win over the past prime, untrained ALi.  

Tate had the tools to stop Oscar but its not likely that it would happen before he wears himself out trying to hurt him.  Oscar finds his way to that fragile skull and caves it in.

Bonavena by KO in 12

Weaver was so slow he could write you a letter before each punch.  He made George Forman look like Hector Camacho but he was tough and could take a lot of punishment.   He could also be hurt.  He lands his bombs and takes a beating along the way.  Hercules could knock Bonavena out if he doesn't get hit first.  Weaver is slightly better skilled so I give him the nod.

Weaver by KO in 13

Dokes, the more talented but least conditioned of the three, could beat Bonavena easily.  Remember Oscar enjoys his status among the 70s super contenders largely due to the fact that he talked as much trash as ALi, got under his skin (something most couldn't do)  and nearly went the distance with him.  Oscar really isnt that good.  

Still he's good enough to beat the usual Michael Dokes.  IF Dokes trains than he wins easily because he can pot-shot Oscar all night long.  THe usual Dokes shows up half trained and runs out of gas and wilts in the middle rounds.   This is more likely.  

Bonavena by KO in 9

Answer 3

hands down with the exception of weaver !!!