Which linear champions would lose to Ken Norton ?

I can see the following as being possibilties
Floyd Patterson
Marvin Hart
James Bradock
Ingo Johnanson
James Douglas
Ezzard Charles
and even Larry Holmes if Ken were prime.

 

The usual suspects in mose questions like these. I think he could give Lennox and Holyfield hell though. Larry Holmes too.

 

I think that he would have a good chance against any of the technicians, and most of the smaller champions, but the punchers would generally take him apart.

 

Reviewing the list of fighters provided.....you can see why "experts" say a boxer becomes 15% better once he is champion. Norton just didn't have the chance to really become better as "champion", i.e. the many times normal process of fighting a few lesser "good" fighters to get use to wearing The Crown.

 

I'd like to have seen a fight with him and Shannon Briggs.

 

He'd beat Old Foreman.

 

Leon Spinks, Briggs

 

I listed my group of guys as " possibilities." And while I wouldn't pick him to beat any of those men with any real certainty, I think he'd have a chance. Drawing one name from that list, Floyd Patterson was a man who lacked the sort of size and physicality needed to bully Norton and nor was he the type of boxer like Ali who could out point him. It's also worth mentioning that Floyd had durability problems of his own. Jim Braddock was tough as nails, but again wasn't a huge puncher and who's talent was quite limited if we're honest... Buster Douglas had an incredible night against Mike Tyson, but had far more nights where he was less than spectacular.. Larry Holmes was in the peak of his prime when a 35 year old Norton fought life and death with him over fifteen rounds to a close decision... Would things have leaned in nortons favor say five years earlier ?? Maybe.. I think Ken was a terrific fighter who had the misfortune of bad Timing and circumstance.. Had he taken over the division after Marciano retired, he might well have reigned for four or five years until Sonny came around.

 

Muhammed Ali is the only one you could say with absolute certainty.

I think he has a chance against every other lineal champion as well, with the punchers being the biggest task.

 

Obviously Ali.

I'd expect Patterson, Ingo, Briggs, Rahman, Douglas, Spinks and Walcott to all lose to him as well.

 

That's a good list there. He and Holmes would be life and death with Norton peak, a very gruelling fight. Ingo would be interesting. I'd take him over Leon Spinks and Michael as well. Could he beat Tunney with his pressure? I'd take him over Rahman. He'd be a chance against Moorer and Briggs too. Many possibles.

 

65 years old foreman kos norton,get out of here

 

Fitz, Corbett, Johnson, Willard, Tunney, Sharkey, Carnera, Schmeling, Charles, Walcott, Patterson, Moorer and the Spinks brothers.