Oscar Bonavena

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Oscar Natalio "Ringo" Bonavena (September 25, 1942 in Buenos Aires, Argentina – May 22, 1976 near Reno, Nevada, United States) was a professional boxer. He earned the nickname "Ringo" for The Beatles hairdo that he sported.

[edit] Pro career

Oscar Bonavena travelled back and forth between United States and his native Argentina, fighting in both countries and enjoying reasonable success.

Bonavena began his early career in New York State under the management of World War II hero and dentist, Marvin Goldberg. The "Argentine Strong-Boy" racked up a quick string of early knockouts, but was overmatched early and lost by decision to highly-rated Zora Folley. After that, it was off to Argentinia where his winning and knockout streak continued. However, the free-swinging Bonevena ran into trouble outside the ring with "off-beat" remarks, lawsuits brought about by reporters with broken cameras and other such "colorful" events.

Bonavena first got attention after defeating the Canadian champion, George Chuvalo, then going the distance against hard-hitting great, Joe Frazier on two occasions. In their first fight, Bonavena had the future champion down twice in the first round before Frazier rallied to win the decision. After the World Boxing Association stripped Muhammad Ali of the title for failing to accept induction into the military draft, Bonavena participated in that sanctioning bodies' 1967 tournament to crown the new champion. After defeating European champion Karl Mildenburger by a decision in Frankfurt, West Germany, he was knocked down twice by eventual tournament winner Jimmy Ellis in the semi-finals in Louisville, and lost by unanimous decision.

The following year, in 1968, Bonavena challenged Frazier for his version of the heavyweight title in Frazier's hometown of Philadelphia. After a grueling fifteen rounds, Bonavena lost the rematch by decision. Two years later, he fought Ali, in the former champ's second bout after his three-year layoff, at Madison Square Garden. Taking the fight to Ali, Bonavena managed to slip past most of his punches and had the match in doubt until a left hook from Ali in the 15th and final round knocked Bonavena down for the first of three times. The knockout by Ali was the only time Bonavena was stopped in his entire career.

After the loss to Ali, Bonavena fought intermittently for the next few years, and losses to Floyd Patterson in 1972 and Ron Lyle in 1974 effectively ended his career as a contender. In February of 1976 Bonavena fought what would be his last fight against Billy Joiner in Reno, Nevada. In his career he had a record of 56 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw.

[edit] Murder

Liking the nightlife, he stayed in Reno where he was killed a few months later by Willard R. Brymer, a bodyguard at the famous brothel the "Mustang Ranch". Bonavena was shot once in the chest by a bullet from a high-powered hunting rifle [1]. He was believed to have died instantly. Brymer served 15 months in prison for killing Bonavena after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Oscar Bonavena is buried in the La Chacarita Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina.