Who was better ..Ken Norton or Tim Witherspoon?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bronze Tiger, Jan 3, 2019.

  1. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Who is? He wasn't forty though.
     
  2. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Oh no no no hell no, you're bull$hiiting now NOBRAIN, be quiet I'm gonna beat ya.
     
  3. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    imo, Witherspoon
     
  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Difficult in some ways to choose but I'm gonna say Norton.
    He was around longer, kept himself in shape and had more fight in him.
     
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  5. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Ken Norton was a good counterpuncher with a tricky defense, cross armed on his back foot, could bang to the body but could not take a punch from a heavy hitter in his prime, Jose Luis Garcia in 1970 and George Foreman in 1974. Tim Witherspoon also had a tricky defense in his prime years but Tim could weather a heavy puncher, so the edge goes to Tim with that ever devastating overhand right hand.
     
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  6. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I’ll say it like this. Ken Norton basically had the better career but I think Witherspoon would prove more formidable for a broader field of fighters…..If that makes any sense
     
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  7. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Witherspoon was much more talented, but Norton was more dedicated and conditioned, so it depends what you mean.
     
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  8. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    About the same overall.
     
  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Tim might have been a little more powerful but Norton was much quicker. With Witherspoon though he never reached his full potential because lack or discipline. He wasn't always in shape. On the other hand Kenny Norton was a Marine.
     
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  10. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Kenny based on all the pros already mentioned but I do like Witherspoon - and not just because he might be reading this - will never forget Tim’s fight vs Holmes, nor round 9 in particular. Near 40 years ago? Get outta here, that’s crazy.
     
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  11. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s Full Member

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    Tim is better. If they’d also fought he’d have taken his head off.
     
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  12. FastHands(beeb)

    FastHands(beeb) Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Norton for me, close but clear. Witherspoon was cuter and probably had a better chin, although it wasn't subjected to the likes of Foreman, Shavers & Cooney. Don't get me wrong, Tim fought punchers too, but not that level of puncher.

    Head to head I've always thought Norton wins this, particularly over 15 rounds.
     
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  13. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    I have Witherspoon winning this head to head and on a P4P level. Take away Norton's one shining moment and his career is not too special. Witherspoon achieved more and came up big in the important moments. Stylistically, this would have been a challenging fight for both guys and if Tim wasn't in good shape he would have lost. However, if he prepared for the fight and came in ready to go he wins this one
     
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  14. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Kenny had the better resume but I reckon Tim could whup him.
     
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  15. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    This is really not the easiest question I've ever heard. The easiest question I ever heard was "Do you think J-Lo is a pretty lady?" and the answer was "Yes. I am a human." But this? This is not easy. I don't know about this business.
     
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