Professional Boxer. He was the World Heavyweight boxing's top contender, who fought 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. A vicious puncher ranked at the top of the professional heavyweight boxing division, Bonavena fought three famous champions: Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson. Bonavena knocked down Frazier twice but Frazier won a 10-round decision over Bonavena in New York City on September 1, 1966. After winning seven consecutive fights, Bonavena fought Frazier again, this time for the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in Philadelphia on December 10, 1968 but Frazier won a 15-round decision. After winning five consecutive fights by knockouts, on December 7, 1970 in New York City, Bonavena fought 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali. Late in the 15th round, he was knocked down three times by Ali and finally knocked out, the only time in 66 fights Bonavena was stopped. On February 11, 1972, Bonavena fought a brutal war in New York City with former champ Floyd Patterson, but Patterson won the ten-round decision. Bonavena won his last six bouts, his last victory coming with a ten round decision win over Billy Joiner in Reno Nevada on February 26, 1976. When not in training, he had a reputation as a hard partier and womanizer. Following an aggressive encounter with the owner of the famous Mustang Ranch brothel near Reno, Oscar Bonavena was shot to death by a security guard Ross Brymer, who served 15 months in prison for killing Bonavena after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Final professional boxing record of Oscar Bonavena was 56 wins,9 losses and 1 draw, with 42 kayos. He was 33 years old.
Professional Boxer. He was the World Heavyweight boxing's top contender, who fought 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. A vicious puncher ranked at the top of the professional heavyweight boxing division, Bonavena fought three famous champions: Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson. Bonavena knocked down Frazier twice but Frazier won a 10-round decision over Bonavena in New York City on September 1, 1966. After winning seven consecutive fights, Bonavena fought Frazier again, this time for the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in Philadelphia on December 10, 1968 but Frazier won a 15-round decision. After winning five consecutive fights by knockouts, on December 7, 1970 in New York City, Bonavena fought 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali. Late in the 15th round, he was knocked down three times by Ali and finally knocked out, the only time in 66 fights Bonavena was stopped. On February 11, 1972, Bonavena fought a brutal war in New York City with former champ Floyd Patterson, but Patterson won the ten-round decision. Bonavena won his last six bouts, his last victory coming with a ten round decision win over Billy Joiner in Reno Nevada on February 26, 1976. When not in training, he had a reputation as a hard partier and womanizer. Following an aggressive encounter with the owner of the famous Mustang Ranch brothel near Reno, Oscar Bonavena was shot to death by a security guard Ross Brymer, who served 15 months in prison for killing Bonavena after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Final professional boxing record of Oscar Bonavena was 56 wins,9 losses and 1 draw, with 42 kayos. He was 33 years old.
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