Muhammad Ali vs Oscar Bonavena 7.12.1970 (Selected Round Highlights) - NABF Heavyweight Title

Muhammad Ali meets Oscar Bonavena to fight for the vacant NABF Heavyweight title. Bonavena may have been drastically shorter than Ali but he was a tough and rugged competitor who had never been stopped in 53 fights. More info below...

Oscar Bonavena, the boxer known as the "South American Beatle" or simply "Ringo", had turned pro in 1964 and quickly made his presence known to the boxing world with wins against former Heavyweight World title contender Tom McNeeley and veteran journeyman Dick Wipperman. In 1965 Bonavena lost a decision to Zora Folley but bounced back with 11 wins in a row which included a unanimous decision over Gregorio Peralta for the Argentina Heavyweight title. In 1966 Bonavena won arguably his biggest fight to date when he he scored an upset majority decision against Canada Heavyweight Champion, George Chuvalo. 3 months later Bonavena gave Joe Frazier the first real challenge of his career, decking the future World Heavyweight Champion twice but still losing the 10 round decision. Bonavena was stripped of his Argentina Heavyweight title following the loss. In 1967 Bonavena was selected to take part in an 8 man tournament to crown the new World Heavyweight Champion following Ali being stripped of the title for refusal to fight in the Vietnam war. Bonavena fought European Heavyweight Champion Karl Mildenberger in the first round of the tournament, winning by unanimous decision but then lost to Jimmy Ellis in the semi-final. Following wins against Roberto Duvila, Zora Folley and Leotis Martin, Bonavena had earned himself a shot at the new World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Frazier in 1968. Unfortunately the rematch with Frazier was nowhere near as close as their first encounter and Bonavena lost a lopsided 15 round decision. In 1969 Bonavena had a rematch with Gregorio Peralta resulting in a draw and was then disqualified in 1970 against former South American Light Heavyweight Champion Miguel Angel Paez for a deliberate low blow. Following the loss Bonavena went on to score 5 KO wins in a row to get a shot at the recently returned Muhammad Ali for the vacant NABF Heavyweight title. His record was a very respectable 46-6-1.

Muhammad Ali had been stripped of his World Heavyweight title and banned from boxing for 3 years in 1967 for his refusal to be drafted into the US Army. Ali returned in October of 1970 and beat Jerry Quarry when the fight was stopped after 3 rounds due to a cut above Quarry's eye. The fight was so short it was not possible to determine if Ali still had what it took to regain his place at the top of the Heavyweight division. The fight against Bonavena was hopefully going to provide a better measure for fight fans. Ali had an unblemished 30-0 record at the time.

Bonavena kept coming forward throughout the fight in his usual bull like style however Ali was able to stay out of harms way most of the time. Although Ali's head movement was not as quick as it once was he still had the hand speed to dominate his lesser skilled opponent. Seemingly out of nowhere in the 15th and final round, Ali landed a flush left hook to Bonavena's jaw which dropped him to his knees. Bonavena dragged himself to his feet but was quickly dropped again by a straight right that penetrated his guard. Ali didn't go to a neutral corner and instead stalked Bonavena as he got to his feet again and stumbled around the ring during the referee's count. With one final flurry Ali dropped Bonavena for a third time to score a dramatic TKO win, the only stoppage loss of Bonavena's entire 68 fight career.

Bonavena kept boxing for another 6 years but failed to reach the same level of success he once had. In 1974 Bonavena got his last big chance to re-enter the heavyweight scene when he took on Ron Lyle but ended up losing a 12 round decision. In 1976 Bonavena was shot dead at the famed Mustang Ranch bordello just outside of Reno, Nevada. His record at the time of his death was 58-9-1.