Why did Ken Norton's jab trouble Ali so much but Liston's didn't?

I strongly doubt Ali's jaw got fractured in the 2nd rd. If that was truly the case it would have been shattered by the end of the fight. Not buying it. It's a myth Ali himself started

 

Like @mcvey stated Futch told Norton to jab with Ali plus Kenny's rt hand was in position to catch or parry Ali's jab. Ali's rt hand was not in position to do the same. Also as stated this was a slower of hand and foot Ali by this time. Norton had an excellent jab while Sonny had a great one.

 

Not correct. Ali didn't start this so called "myth". It was reported by Dundee.

 

Not sure if true but allegedly Liston had shoulder issues. Plus Ali fought as a younger man still trying to make his legacy whereas if he hadn't fought Norton he'd still b in the HOF as mostly stated earlier in here. I'm sure Norton was more motivated than Liston as well. If you can't knock out an elephant he's a pesty match up a clever,game fighter.

 

Prime 1964 Muhammad Ali would have evaded Ken Norton's left jab, the 1970's Ali was too vulnerable.

 

either or its a myth. Jaw was broken somewhere in the last 2 rounds.

 

Ali was older and slower. He couldn't use his feet as much to create distance.

 

Bull****.

 

For the love of it… different plans, you can throw your jab anyway you want but if you don’t know when to or why you’re just getting by on wishful thinking, it’s got nothing to with anything but between the ears.

 

File under: That's what he was bound to say.

Dundee said it was the 1st originally though. So...

 

Funny how he keeps asking posters to watch the Ferdie Pacheco version of the fight (i.e. the one done years later with added on commentary to fit a narrative) rather than the original broadcast.

My favourite Ferdie commentary from one of the Norton fights: (said in gushing superhero praise): "Just look at Ali's smothering, he's one of the best smotherers in the game!"

 

Norton's jab was a factor in the first fight, he consistently outlanded Ali with it, despite throwing if far less. Fight 2, it was Ali's jab that was dominant that time around but the fight was close due to Ken landing him the bigger shots. The rubber match was Kenny basically getting the better of the jab and the big shots.


The answer to the question though, is that the reason is that Norton was more successful vs Ali than Liston, was that Kenny wasn't the fall guy in a fix.

 

if Patterson had problems landing jabs on 60's Ali, Norton might not have landed one at all, Norton might as well be in slow motion compared to Patterson