Ken Norton verus Joe Louis' opposition...

Are you guys kidding with me or what ?

I thought it would be fairly obvious who I was comparing Galento with.

 

I don't think quality of an era has any bearing on how hard the hardest punchers hit.

 

Galento has the power and the means. Norton would try to back paddle and was always clumsy in this regard. Galento hits him with a big hook, unlike Louis, Norton doesn't recover. The left hook set up Shaver's knockout of Norton as well.

Buddy and Nova might take out Norton too.

Walcott would attack Norton like he did Maricano. Walcott wasn't stupid, he would know that would be his only chance, and it will work this time.

 

I'm sorry did I post the wrong image?

Perhaps you were hoping that I'd display a photo of Smith when he was around say age 50?

 

[yt]PVZVaNqHE_g[/yt]

 

I just don't see what Galento has to offer skillwise.

He doesn't really have the means to land his hook on Norton. He's at every disadvantage physically and technically.

If Norton gets put as an underdog to Galento, I question the boxing knowledge behind that analyst.

Ken was awesome. He's one of Ali's very best opponents, and he would have been the same for Lewis.

 

He was referring to BUTLER, not Smith.

 

I put a big emphasis on the fighter being "time traveled" and trained under the means of the older fighters' time. I don't think it's fair otherwise. So, that may explain some. With the inferior nutrition, equipment, science, knowledge/tape/media, and outdated rules of the Louis years, Norton would not be the exact same Norton. Norton would be fighting many times a year more than he did during his prime of '71-'77.

Also, you imply that we are assuming this is prime Norton vs. Louis' opponents when Louis fought them. In which case, Norton is a monster. This is a good one.

I'd pick to win, quite confidently in each of these:
Schmeling I
Schmeling II
Walcott I
Walcott II
Charles
Marciano

I'd say 50/50:
Carnera
M. Baer
Conn I

I'd say have a small chance, would win at least 1 out of 5 vs. Norton:
Sharkey
Braddock
Pastor I
Pastor II
Galento
Simon I
B. Baer I
B. Baer II

 

In the defense of Galento, he was on a streak of 11-0, with 11 KO's going into the Louis fight. Wins over Ettore, Mann, and Thomas during that run.

 

Well, he's just an example of a ranked contender who was short and fat and "swings for the fences".
If you actually compare records he was not as accomplished a fighter as Galento by a long shot, and his conditioning was clearly worse (gassed by the 2nd round against Lennox).

Lou Nova was a very good fighter, the number 1 contender, well-built 6'2 heavyweight with a good left jab. Excuses aside, Galento beat him up over 14 rounds. Had him down several times in the early going.
Galento also rocked Joe Louis at the opening round, and had him down in the 3rd round.
If he's a threat to guys like that, how is he not a threat to Norton ?

You can do the "look test" AKA "the eye test" (ie. look at the film, and condemn or condone a man's ability) ... but often the sheer force and formidableness or a fighter is less tangible. And of course you, as a judge, are fallible.

Galento knocked some good young fighters the hell out, and got some good reviews.
The guy was a brute and a powerhouse.
He's definitely a real threat to Norton.