Who Else Could Kenny Norton Beat...?

Sadly, After being edged out by Larry Holmes on June 9 1978, Ken Norton started to regress as a fighter. He struggled horribly against Scott Le Doux, was destroyed by both Earnie Shavers and Gerry Cooney.

 

I'm going with Joe Louis. With a good plan Norton could win at least on points in 12 or 15 rounds. However, Louis is not a puncher of the caliber of Foreman, Shavers...

 

I’ve always contemplated whether or not Ken Norton might have beaten Larry Holmes if Ken were a few years younger. As it was, he was 35 years old when they met and fought Larry to a very close decision verdict. Other guys I think he’d have a shot at are Floyd Patterson, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks, Max Schmeling, Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles.

 

Evander Holyfield is the next best guy to Muhammad Ali that comes to mind who I’d say Ken Norton would have a good chance of beating.

 

Tokyo Buster Douglas and Tony Tubbs and Pinklon Thomas would be good opponents for Norton.

 

If Norton was 2 years younger, basically the version that fought Ali in Yankee Stadium in 76, I think Norton outponts Holmes. In his book Norton said himself that after getting robbed he stayed in boxing for the money, but that he didn't train as hard.

 

The problem with Ken Norton was that he wilted when facing a hard puncher, he could not take a punch.

 

Yes. The Holmes fight finished Ken as a top contender.

 

I make Ken favourite over all the guys who were titleholders in the 1980s with the exception of Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes. A prime Norton and prime Holmes split a series in my opinion.

 

Morrison, Briggs, Douglas, Moorer

Louis would pick Norton apart inside of 10

 

Of course, mein gott.

Norton is borderline all-time great, only being debatable in that regard because his resume is a literal one round/one point away on the scorecards from being outright stellar (imagine he beats Ali the second time or gets the nod against Holmes, whilst Larry carries on to do what he did.)

 

And Kenny's chin was far better than often given credit for. He took solid shots from Ali and Holmes, and the likes of Quarry and Garcia. Granted, it would shatter against the likes of Shavers, Foreman, and Cooney. Not many could claim theirs wouldn't.