Jerry Quarry vs. Frank Bruno Oscar Bonavena vs. Ray Mercer Kenny Norton vs. Chris Byrd Jimmy Young vs. Andrew Golota Ron Lyle vs. Ike Ibeabuchi Some sterling pairings, there. Difficult to say how some of these might've turned out. I like Quarry to decision Bruno. Bonavena & Mercer would've been savage at times, but both could fatigue late in fights...this one may or may not've lasted long. I'll take Mercer in a stoppage through seven electric rounds, with Bonavena's corner throwing in the towel. Norton & Byrd would have a lot of trouble with one another, but the latter moreso than the former. Norton earns a close, but uncontroversial, points victory. Young-Golota is the easiest to predict of the bunch. I don't think Golota gets near him in losing a wide decision. Lyle gets off the deck to KO Ibeabuchi, IMO --- too much experience against too high a level of opposition, but, boy, would it be fun if it was the Ibeabuchi who showed up for Tua & Byrd in there. Quarry UD12 Bruno Scorecards: 116-112 (Quarry), 115-113 (Quarry), 116-113 (Quarry) Mercer TKO7 Bonavena Scorecards: 67-66 (Bonavena), 67-67 (Even), 67-66 (Mercer) Norton UD12 Byrd Scorecards: 116-112 (Norton), 115-113 (Norton), 115-114 (Norton) Young UD12 Golota Scorecards: 117-111 (Young), 116-112 (Young), 118-110 (Young) Lyle KO8 Ibeabuchi (Lyle down once in 2nd, Ibeabuchi down once in 6th, once in 8th) Scorecards: 66-65 (Lyle), 66-65 (Ibeabuchi), 67-64 (Ibeabuchi)
I disagree on that one. I think Norton-Byrd is the easiest to predict. Byrd may provide some problems for Ken because he's a slick southpaw type but i don't see any way he actually wins the fight. Norton 8-4.
[Edited to add] Bruno knocks out Quarry before Quarry has a chance to do the same late rin the fight. Bonavena by decision Norton by Decision Young by Decision Ibeatahoochie by KO Easy picks IMO
Bruno busts Quarry's face open and forces a stoppage in six Mercer's better infighting skills bring him a hard-fought decision over Bonavena who would not hurt Ray enough Norton with his strength and jab outboxes Byrd quite clearly Young is too slick for Golota who might do well early but finds a way to fuck it up. Lyle-Ike is a coin toss since we saw so little of Ike but I pick Ike since I have seen black and white photos of Lyle
:::cheer: Strangely enough, I actually agree with all of these picks.:bears: As you say Ike-Lyle is for all intents a coin toss though. I wouldn't put much money on Mercer-Bonavena either, though at his best Mercer would be my pick. Young & Norton are easy picks & I think Bruno is just too big and strong for Quarry.
An ageing Quarry did do a number on a developing Lyle --- who was big & strong, with a great punch, like Bruno --- decisioning him. I think he could well do the same with Bruno, who I struggle to imagine as Lyle's equal.
Good point. Sometimes folks get too hung up on who is "bigger" when discussing heavies. Lyle was around the same size as Bruno and Quarry beat him with room to spare. I can definitely see Quarry getting the nod over Bruno. And I would take Lyle over Bruno as well.
Agreed to a certain extent but what you're forgetting is that Bruno wasn't just big..he hit HARD. Harder than Lyle. Bruno may have have no stamina to recuperative powers and was rather slow and robotic but he could hit like a bitch...and had a very hard jab.
This is why I pick Bruno too. He was actually a damn good inside fighter, only Tyson's speed was too much for him. Apart from him he pretty much always controlled the action inside (before getting tired, or getting caught with big enough shot a la Lewis). I believe Quarry would challenge him inside but I don't think he could hurt Bruno bad enough to take him out early and instead Bruno would do enough damage to get the W. If Quarry survived to later rounds, then he could probably turn the tables
