Today none uses that technique anymore and none teaches it in the gyms...therefore for me is outdated...dont see an its return in the future neither an its evolution.
Could’ve definitely picked up a Strap in this Era, hell Charles Martin did. I don’t fancy his chances against the big 3. Fury, AJ and Wilder. But a possibly now even more gun shy AJ (like the one in the Ruiz rematch) I’d give Norton a shot. Pre Klitschko AJ does a demo job on him.
Norton would lose to Joshua in all likelihood I do not believe Norton loses to Wilder. I know people will mention the Foreman fight but Wilder is no Foreman. Wilder does not have as good a jab as Foreman, nor as good a left hook, left uppercut etc. Plus Wilder isn't as intimidating, isn't as good at cutting off the ring as Big George, doesn't have as good a chin etc. Wilder is too crude IMO to catch Norton. An older Norton losing to Shavers does not mean he couldn't handle punchers. It just means he was past it. Here is how i see it: Norton vs Fury- 60-40 in favor of Fury- Norton has a chance to decision the big man but i think Fury's size and skill wins him a decision Norton vs Joshua- 70-30 in favor of Joshua. Norton vs Wilder- 60-40 in favor of Norton
I would favor each of the big 3 over him. He would slot in the with the next group, winning some, losing some, perhaps catching lightening in a bottle a la Ruiz.
Norton couldn`t have taken te uppercut Ruiz took when he was flooreed in their first clash and he didn`t have the chin to push AJ back and have him running around the ring like AJ did in his rematch v Ruiz.
IMO he might not even get hit by it. I agree that he doesn't survive if he gets hit clean. But Wilder isn't Foreman at cutting off the ring. He doesn't have Foreman's left. Foreman would often set up his right with a strong left jab. Foreman would sometimes throw wide hooks and then throw in a short right hand/right uppercut to catch his opponent off guard. Wilder does not have that kind of skill. Plus Norton was a good puncher. If Norton can avoid Wilders right for a few rounds and land a good left hook on him, my guess is that Wilder would be in all sorts of trouble.
Norton would beat old Pulev and at least be competitive with Hunter, old Povetkin, and Parker. He'd get rolled over by the big 3 and Ruiz or Ortiz if they showed up anywhere near top form.
I wouldn’t favor him to unless he came around a few years ago and picked up a strap from someone like Lucas Browne. But I can’t see him beating Fury, Joshua or Wilder
