Oscar Natalio Bonavena was born on September 25, 1942 in Boedo's neighborhood, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was, undoubtedly, the most charismatic boxer of Argentina. His clumsy way of fighting and his exceptional personality turned him into one of the most popular figures of the 70’s. He was one of the first fighters to understand the importance of massive press and got around with absolute nonchalance.

He abandoned school at an early age and began to work as a pizza delivery man, employee at butcher's shop and stonecutter. He started his boxing career in 1958 at Huracán club; in 1959 he was an amateur champion and in the following two years he obtained two championships in South American tournaments.

In 1963, Ringo fought Lee Carr in San Pablo, but was ruled out because he bit Carr’s nipple, victim of his inability to take such a beating. He was penalized by the FAB (Argentine Boxing Federation) and decided to emigrate to the USA and look for new sporting horizons. On January 3, 1964 he made his debut in Madison Square Garden winning his first fight with a KO in the first minute of the first round against Ron Hicks. After fighting several rivals, he was defeated by Zora Folley, what led him to return to Argentina, coinciding with the end of the sanction imposed by the FAB. 

Ringo's return to the Argentine boxing was filled with incidents generated by himself with promotional purposes. On September 4, 1965 he fought Goyo Peralta, in the Luna Park Stadium, for the Argentine heavy weight title. At the moment Ringo got on the ring he was booed by most of the public while Goyo was loudly cheered from every corner of the stadium. Almost 2 minutes after the start of the fifth round, Bonavena won the fight with a Knock Out.

On December 7, 1970 he fought Cassius Clay in Madison Square Garden, losing in the last round after having fallen down three times and determining the KO. Ringo fought 68 fights with 58 victories, 9 defeats and 1 tie.

In the tragic night of May 22, 1976, Ringo went to the "Mustang Ranch", Joe Conforte's (his ex-manager) cabaret  where, Willard Ross Brymer, guardian of Comforte, shot him causing his death.

It is said that Ringo Bonavena's murder was planned by Joe Conforte after finding out about a supposed affair of the boxer with his wife, Sally Conforte.

Ringo Bonavena  died on May 22, 1976 in Nevada, United States of America.