What do fans make of all Norton`s losses? How did fighters exploit his weaknesses? This content is protected
He seemed to have issues with some of the biggest punchers in heavyweight history. But Ali in 3 fights or Holmes in a 15rd war, I don't remember them even seriously hurting him. Psychological?
He's one of these guys who took a great punch up to a certain level of power imo. He took numerous blows from Holmes and Ali with very little trouble. If we look at who ko'd him tho, Jesus. Shavers, Foreman and Cooney (when he was way past it). He seemed to have particular trouble when backed up (possibly mental and technical) but only the chosen few could back him up. I segregate the early ko by Garcia as Norton was a different fighter with a different mindset then like early Mike Weaver. It's uncanny that they crossed paths and had the interactions they did.
This is the thing. It wasn't "powerpunchers" that "had his number" as one so often sees here. Because of how he used his feet, dragging the back foot along in back, it limited his ability to move back and to the side. Look, anyone that gets clubbed by perhaps the three biggest punchers in heavyweight history is going down.
It's not that he lost but how .. he froze and collapsed ..he's a tough study .. maybe only Tiger Flowers compares ..
Yeah it was part psychological and freezing up, and part technical issues (having no plan B if he was forced to back up, his stance and style just doesnt work that way).
The first loss was early career as he was learning his trade Ali II - close, debatable decision Foreman - all-time Top 5-6 guy who’s a huge hitter hit him first Ali III - a bit of a robbery Holmes- razor thin loss vs. a top 5 all/time Shavers & Cooney - he’s already washed by then
Ali and Holmes didn`t hit as hard as Cooney, Foreman and Shavers, Foreman actually had to catch Norton with several shots before the bout was stopped, Norton stood to close to punchers when he fought them, even though he backed away from George he was always in punching range.
I have looked and cannot find footage of the first Luis Garcia fight .. to Norton's credit he did bounce back in a rematch. Foreman just crushed him ... Against Cooney he was old but had just fought a very tough fast paced ten rounds with a young and motivated Tex Cobb .. I was shocked the way he froze against Shavers .. He was had to fathom. The best way is likely the simpliest. He could not fight backing up.
A mixture of all above. Footwork ,his chin wasn't the most durable and the fellas that smashed him were all very serious hitter's. But he also gave 2 ATG s very hard fights and scoring a win over 1 of them .
Norton couldn't fight going on the back foot. If he was 4 years younger, he would have retained his title against Holmes. Against C00ney and Shavers, I don't think his age mattered, it would have gone the same way even if he had been prime.