Is Ken Norton a top 20 ATG Heavyweight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Jan 16, 2018.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    I feel that he is, and also feel that this could generate some good discussion on here.

    As a slight aside, I always loved watching Norton fight, his style was so unusual, one you rarely see employed. Have any fighters since Norton's time actually used a similar style? I can't recall anyone to be honest.
     
    Russell, Jan 16, 2018
    Russell, Jan 16, 2018
    #1
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  2. THE BLADE 2

    THE BLADE 2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Definitely
     
    THE BLADE 2, Jan 16, 2018
    THE BLADE 2, Jan 16, 2018
    #2
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Just shy I would say.
     
    janitor, Jan 16, 2018
    janitor, Jan 16, 2018
    #3
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  4. Grapefruit

    Grapefruit Active Member Full Member

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    He was very good, but I wouldn' put him in the top 20s either
     
    Grapefruit, Jan 16, 2018
    Grapefruit, Jan 16, 2018
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  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I have him just outside personally but there's no reason at all you can't have him at #20 or #19.
     
    McGrain, Jan 16, 2018
    McGrain, Jan 16, 2018
    #5
  6. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Do you have an easy accessible list?
     
    Russell, Jan 16, 2018
    Russell, Jan 16, 2018
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    McGrain, Jan 16, 2018
    McGrain, Jan 16, 2018
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  8. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Not for me, but I suppose it isn't outlandish to place him there.
     
    mcvey, Jan 16, 2018
    mcvey, Jan 16, 2018
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  9. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Man, you'd think flourishing in the golden age of heavyweights, the supposed most talent laden the division has seen in it's entire history, would end up with you being perceived as something of a better fighter.

    You can argue, rightfully in my opinion, that the man deserves at the very least 2 victories over most peoples consensus greatest heavyweight of all time...
     
    Russell, Jan 16, 2018
    Russell, Jan 16, 2018
    #9
  10. Contro

    Contro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Not sure. With favorable judges he would have 3 wins over ali and a win over holmes. But the fact of the matter was that he was brutally stopped early several times. Something that really doesnt rhyme well with great Heavyweight. Almost all of my favorite fighters had good chins. Tyson, Holyfield, Duran, morales. Getting easily knocked out like that just doesnt sit well with me, especially with a heavyweight.

    I dont know. Might just be personal preference.
     
    Contro, Jan 16, 2018
    Contro, Jan 16, 2018
    #10
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  11. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    I can c it
     
    robert ungurean, Jan 16, 2018
    robert ungurean, Jan 16, 2018
    #11
  12. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    You could argue, and if the judges correctly gave him the 3rd fight with Ali...

    Head to head, better than some in the top 20.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
    Mendoza, Jan 16, 2018
    Mendoza, Jan 16, 2018
    #12
  13. richdanahuff

    richdanahuff Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Would we consider the fact he never won the title as criteria as well no matter how well he matched up with the fading Ali and arguably beat him every time....the judges saw it differently...IMO skill, talent, size, power he could be.
     
    richdanahuff, Jan 16, 2018
    richdanahuff, Jan 16, 2018
    #13
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  14. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    It's a reason I rank Lewis that bit lower than a lot of people - I can't get past the image of him getting dropped by McCall and particularly Hasim Rahman. Obviously he avenged both of those defeats and they were abberations really, whereas Norton was battered in all three KO losses to Foreman, Shavers and Cooney and there was never a chance of a rematch. Had there been, you'd expect the same thing to happen again. Norton's on the cusp of top 20 but it is difficult to reconcile his best and worst performances.
     
    Jel, Jan 16, 2018
    Jel, Jan 16, 2018
    #14
  15. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not for me. He comes in around 30. He was destroyed by every big puncher he faced quickly. Foreman, Shavers, Cooney.
    He lost 2-3 to Ali. (Debatable 3rd fight I had him winning by a round).
    He lost to Holmes (I had Holmes up wider than the official scores)

    Bested a badly faded Quarry an unproven Bobick. His resume was light coming into the first Ali fight. For me he is a few quality wins away from top 20
     
    The Long Count, Jan 16, 2018
    The Long Count, Jan 16, 2018
    #15
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