Muhammad Ali's most difficult opponent, Frazier or Norton?

[Stevie G]

I'll breakdown Ali's form in each of the six fights he had,in total,with both men -


1/ Norton II/Frazier II
2/ Frazier I
3/ Frazier III
4/ Norton I
5/ Norton III


Ali was on his best form for the second fights with both men. Overall in the series,he was better for Frazier,but Norton gave the BEST seventies Ali the toughest fight.

[Stevie G]

Frazier was Ali's toughest opponent in a physical,swapping pain kind of sense,but Norton was harder stylistically,if you like.

[KidDynamite]

Norton was the more frustrating opponent whose style was something Ali couldn't circumvent

Frazier was Ali's rival and his greatest opponent. Someone who he had to put blood, sweat, and tears to overcome.

Two very different opponents but overall I'd say Norton was actually tougher ... Ali could physically give Frazier a beat down but Norton was never really someone who he could beat like that

[HOUDINI]

Frazier of course was Ali's toughest opponent. He nearly stopped Ali in round 11 in 1971 and dropped him in round 15. In fight 3 Ali stated himself it was the closest thing to death. His fights with Norton were chess matches and neither fighter came close to stopping the other.

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by HOUDINI

Frazier of course was Ali's toughest opponent. He nearly stopped Ali in round 11 in 1971 and dropped him in round 15. In fight 3 Ali stated himself it was the closest thing to death. His fights with Norton were chess matches and neither fighter came close to stopping the other.

The Ali-Norton rivalry was only intense in an athletic competitive way. There was no personal rancour between the two. I always got the feeling that Muhammad and Ken were quite fond of each other.