Bugner had the size, how does he do here?? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bugner 6'4", 82" reach, wins over Henry Cooper, Richard Dunn, Jimmy Ellis, Mac Foster, and decent showings vs Frazier and Ali. His really crap performances were vs Shavers and noted British bum, Jack Bodell {a 1 round KO victim of Quarry}
It's hard to imagine this one Bugner, as best as I remember it, never fought a guy taller than him... both klits are a few inches taller than him, thats not insignificant Bugner had a good jab but he was not an especially powerful big man... I think he gives both men problems but at the end of the day he lacks the offensive firepower to make a winner's impression... most likely a decision loss to each
That's how I see it too. Bugner was an awkward foe due to his ability to fight tall, & he had good skills. He'd have what it took to make it competitive, but not what it would take to win. I think if Wlad decided that Bugner couldn't hurt him, & fought agressively he could stop him, but he's probably more likely to fight with cautious agression, & Bugner would in the end be happy to go the distance.
AgREED. I think Bugner would settle into a groove of acceptable 2nd-best-ness and seek to survive and collect his pay-cheque, all the time keeping one eye open for a chance to spring a sneak attack and turn the tide. He's not big enough or powerful enough to keeep up a constant assault, and if he was on one of his really bad nights he might get stopped by Vitali.