Joe Frazier Vs Ken Norton

I'm almost at the point of saying Joe would have lost against Norton anytime after FOTC.

Check out those lame title defenses by Joe after FOTC. He wasn't the same fighter; only Ali brought out the flashes of greatness from Joe in TIM (I won't even COUNT the second fight, yaaawn).

 

Good question. Kenny's muscles werent just for show. He had big shoulders, a cross arm block, and was taller than Frazier. Combine all these factors and Frazier burying himself into his opponents chest may not be the most viable strategy.

I dont think either guy budges for several rounds regardless of the outcome.

 

I always figured Frazier would take him apart. This isn't Norton's fight.

 

Smokin Joe was a little spent following the 1971 Fight of The Century against Muhammad Ali, as he wins that bout. What followed were uneventful title defenses against Terry Daniels and Ron Stander in 1972. Norton, a sparring partner for Joe, had some wins under his belt, since being knocked out by Jose Luis Garcia in 1970. Both fighters had agreed to never face each other because of their friendship. But with money and prestige including the title on the line in this hypothetical match. They agree to meet, despite being friends. Frazier would begin with applying an incredible amount of pressure on Norton. He would take full advantage of Ken dropping his right hand, in his crab like defense, and the fact that they sparred against each other,he exploits Norton's weakness. Norton will rock Joe with his jaw breaking right hand, during some heated exchanges. Ken vulnerable to heavy punchers will wilt in round 6, after suffering a brutal knock down. Frazier will successfully retain his title, Then onto Big George Foreman.

 

That may be true right after. Joe was taking it easy. He had more left than Ali wanted to believe. He looked pretty sharp with Bugner and Quarry 2. Ofcourse the Thrilla.

 

You're making me what to watch the Bugner and Quarry fights again. It's just...it just didn't seem to be the super Smokin' Joe to me.

To be completely fair, I will definitely watch them again today. So you gave me fun homework, thanks ETM

 

@Glass City Cobra that sounds like an incredible fight! Joe swarming, Ken trying to keep the hail of hooks off him.

Man, I can just see them going at it...YEAH!

 

He got back to about 80% before Manila and was pretty much shot after that.

 

Watched the fights and Joe looked significantly better than he did in the title defenses. Still that ain't the pre-FOTC Frazier.

And you're right, the Foreman II fight...I'm not sure who that Joe Frazier was.

Foreman never fought the FOTC Frazier, and I'm convinced he would have lost if he had.

 

I agree with you.