Muhammad Ali 'I Can't Beat Ken Norton Alone'

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012.


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  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    October 1, 1976

    In a quiet interview with Mark Gronin, Muhammad Ali admitted he
    could not beat Ken Norton without a 'little help from his friends'.

    Muhammad, 'Kenny's style it too difficult for me. I can't beat him, and
    I sure don't want to fight him again. I honestly thought he beat me in
    Yankeee Stadium, but the judges gave it to me, and I'm grateful to them.'

    'I sure don't want a '4th' fight with him, even though everybody says we should
    do it again. I can't spend my whole life fighting Norton. I mean, how many
    more times will the judges give me a break.'

    'I feel like a Fox that got in and out of the Hen House, before the Farmer
    found me. I'm not going back in there, because I know he's waiting for
    me behind the door. Kenny is the 'farmer with the shotgun', and I'm not
    going back to that Hen House. I think I will go over to someone else's
    Farm, and steal their chicken. I'm not going back on Kenny's property
    anymore.'
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    #1
  2. Nightcrawler

    Nightcrawler Boxing Addict Full Member

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    pepe, you are a ****ing tremendous contribution to this forum. do you have the full interview?
     
    Nightcrawler, Sep 15, 2012
    Nightcrawler, Sep 15, 2012
    #2
  3. frankenfrank

    frankenfrank Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    this is d essence of Ali's entire career :

    "a fox" escaping d farmer , getting gifts from d judges and being gr8ful 2 them , could not beat almost any1
    This content is protected
    .

    and a lot of 'little help from his friends'.
     
    frankenfrank, Sep 15, 2012
    frankenfrank, Sep 15, 2012
    #3
  4. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    a case of styles....Norton was one that was tough for Ali but I cant say that if he would have fought Louis,Marciano,Lewis or Dempsey IMO they all stop Ken but guys like Ali and Holmes and Tunney struggle because of styles

    A prime Frazier was Ali's kryptonite but credit to Ali he fought the tough rematches
     
    Bummy Davis, Sep 15, 2012
    Bummy Davis, Sep 15, 2012
    #4
  5. Nightcrawler

    Nightcrawler Boxing Addict Full Member

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    that all being said, he clearly beat norton in the 2nd fight. imo, one of the easiest "controversial" fights to score. a near peak ali can take norton, just would always have trouble
     
    Nightcrawler, Sep 15, 2012
    Nightcrawler, Sep 15, 2012
    #5
  6. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    More of Muhammad Ali with Mark Grogin,

    "I can't and won't fight 3-minute rounds. I figured out along time ago, that the
    judges will remember the last 30-seconds of round, more than what happened in the
    first 'two-minutes'. My game plan was to steal the round, and with the help of the
    fans cheering in the last few moments, it will intimidate the guys scoring at ringside
    into thinking that I knew exactly what I was doing.'

    'In truth, Kenny is much more physical than me, and he his a better athlete. I had to
    come up with a fight plan, instead of just getting in there and pounding away. By
    the 6th Round, it came to me in a 'flash', when the crowd started to cheer my
    late round flurry, even though I wasn't doing all that much.'
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    #6
  7. techks

    techks ATG list Killah! Full Member

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    Good stuff Pepe, keep being a great contributor to this ESB we need it badly. As far as the trilogy goes I loved it and its one of my fav to watch. Great bodypunching, insidefighting, and determination from Norton and good use of angles and outboxing by Ali. Thought that 2 was very clear for Ali and 3 was close but clear for Norton as we all know 1 was clear for Norton. Technical and decent trilogy with no "brawling" but each guys fighting purely of boxing. Underrated imho though its well known.
     
    techks, Sep 15, 2012
    techks, Sep 15, 2012
    #7
  8. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    More of Muhammad Ali with Mark Grogin,

    'It would be easy for me to fight Kenny a 'fourth time', but what would
    people say if I win another close decision. They already think that the
    fight was 'fixed' for me to win. What the fans don't know, is that I fight
    for me and the '3' scoring officials, not the sportswriters or television
    announcers. I only have to satisfy '3' officials and no one else to win.
    I learned that in the amateurs from Tony Madigan.'
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    #8
  9. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I saw another honest interview with Ali once.

    Cosell asked him if he could have beaten Marciano.

    Ali said that on their best day he thought he could have stopped him on cuts (late) or outpointed him. Then he paused for a moment and said that maybe he couldn't have. He didn't really know who would have won.

    He could give a thoughtful interview when he wanted to. Most of the time they were horse****.
     
    BillB, Sep 15, 2012
    BillB, Sep 15, 2012
    #9
  10. FastHands(beeb)

    FastHands(beeb) Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Ali should have given Norton a return after Yankee Stadium, in the same way Louis gave Walcott a rematch after their controversial title fight in December '47...Louis gets props for that imo...
     
    FastHands(beeb), Sep 15, 2012
    FastHands(beeb), Sep 15, 2012
    #10
  11. turbotime

    turbotime Hall Of Famer Full Member

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    Pretty sure Ali mentioned numerous times he felt Norton won the 3rd bout. Pepe your Ali obsession is borderline Pac fans with Floyd :lol:
     
    turbotime, Sep 15, 2012
    turbotime, Sep 15, 2012
    #11
  12. DaveK

    DaveK Vicious & Malicious Full Member

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    Interesting stuff, Pepe.
     
    DaveK, Sep 15, 2012
    DaveK, Sep 15, 2012
    #12
  13. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    More of Muhammad Ali with Mark Grogin,

    'Before each round, I would glance at the 'two' ringside officials, and smile
    to let them think I was in control, and that I knew what I was doing. I would
    give a nod, and then march out of the corner confident. Kenny was so focused
    on me, that he forgot about trying to impress the 'two' judges. It was like a great
    actor walking on stage, and then forgetting his lines.'
     
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    Senor Pepe', Sep 15, 2012
    #13
  14. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Foreman basically said Ali called him up one night and asked him to clear Norton out of the way for him too. :lol: Maybe he really did.

    He definitely is, but I've been saying this for a long time, as constructive criticism, that he needs to only post things that support my agenda and fighters that I like and dislike. :bart Post some anti-Jack Johnson and some pro Glen Johnson, Pep! :twisted: Help a brother out with his Johnson issues, man! :mad: At least I'm a pro-Norton truther. :yep
     
    Boxed Ears, Sep 15, 2012
    Boxed Ears, Sep 15, 2012
    #14
  15. KidGalahad

    KidGalahad Member Full Member

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    worthless without an original source of this interview, since it can´t be verified without.
     
    KidGalahad, Sep 15, 2012
    KidGalahad, Sep 15, 2012
    #15
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