Would Shavers always have crushed Norton at each fighters' best? In March 1979, Shavers just walked across the ring and blasted Ken out in one round. Against Foreman, Norton was able to box for some period, before getting ko'ed. Would Shavers just walk Norton down too?
Maybe. It's also possible that it wasn't Nortons best day. A lot of variables could go into it. But if you ask me, Shavers mows him down at their best.
No. From Shavers' record it's clear that much lesser fighters than Norton beat him. I think that Ken could weather the storm and pile on the pressure late in an easily conceivable scenario. Shavers looks like a stone killer when he lands right, but not all that when guys take him into deeper waters.
A lot of the time...yes. It is also feasible that prime Norton catches Earnie quickly like he did to Duane Bobick and stops him. Ken may not punch as hard as Shavers but still hit harder than Jerry Quarry,for example,who stopped 'The Acorn'
Yeah I can see some mixed results happening if these two met in their primes and on more than one occasion.
Norton way way past his prime. Dont be fooled by the strong showing vs. Holmes, styles make fights. Norton was well prepared and put on a last hurrah type of performance against a still not yet peaked Holmes... who was fighting with an injured arm. Shavers was same as he ever was vs. Norton despite being near the end of his career as well. I think a younger Norton would have done much better, maybe he could have even won. Its hard to say for sure though.
Norton did well in the 1st round vs. Foreman. Norton was dealing with a lot of out of the ring problems going into the fight with Foreman. Its possible that he could have done better vs. Foremam had they fought again.
Norton, in some instances, could've gotten to Shavers first (just like he did to Bobick). It's still a great matchup for Shavers, one I'd favor him in, and a dangerous one for Norton every time out.
Norton at his best was a better fighter than shavers .he would have taken him apart in a few rounds unless Ernie landed a sucker punch. Ken was a better class of fighter.
If you back up Norton he is in trouble. Big punchers knew to jump on Norton early. This is what Shavers did. However this is one matchup where I could see Ken winning say 3 out of 10 from Shavers. Reason is Earnie had durability issues and I could see Norton beating him to the punch, hurting him and ending the bout. Norton had enough power to get Shavers out of there. He did not have the power to get Foreman out of there.
