Could Ali have underestimated Norton in their third fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024.


  1. PolishAssasin

    PolishAssasin Member Full Member

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    Ali looked weak in his third fight against Ken Norton. Is it possible that he underestimated him? Before the fight, Ali predicted that he would knock out "the chump" (Norton) within five rounds, which seems like an absurd statement considering how much trouble Norton had caused him in their two previous fights. While Ali's predictions should often be taken with a grain of salt, could he have truly underestimated Norton?

    BoxRec quote:
    "He looked pitiful. I kept hollering up to him, 'Don't blow the money, Ali, don't blow the money, damn it!' But the Ali you saw tonight is not the guy I have to fight. I wish it was, but it won't be. He'll be ready for me. You can count on it." – Ken Norton after the Ali-Young fight.
     
    PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024
    PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024
    #1
  2. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Norton gave him a hell of a lot of trouble. There's no way he didn't take that seriously.
     
    Barrf, Dec 8, 2024
    Barrf, Dec 8, 2024
    #2
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  3. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He didn't take him lightly no obviously he would recognise Norton was a major threat based on their last 2 fights. The issue was Ali was declining rapidly as a fighter after the Foreman fight.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Dec 8, 2024
    Dynamicpuncher, Dec 8, 2024
    #3
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  4. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Norton was just better than Ali at that point in their careers, Ali was shopworn, overweight and Norton was still within his prime, Norton’s prime was quite a wide range tbf.
     
    Devon, Dec 8, 2024
    Devon, Dec 8, 2024
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  5. West of Hollywood

    West of Hollywood Active Member Full Member

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    At the point of the third Norton fight Ali was rapidly declining and likely really didn't want to fight anymore.
     
    West of Hollywood, Dec 8, 2024
    West of Hollywood, Dec 8, 2024
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  6. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    No way he took Norton lightly.

    And Norton probably went to his grave regretting that he listened to his corner and didn’t close strongly in Round 15.
     
    PRW94, Dec 8, 2024
    PRW94, Dec 8, 2024
    #6
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  7. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    Yup, even in victory Ali took a lot of damage that would’ve knocked out lesser men.

    Thrila took even more out of him imo.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Dec 8, 2024
    swagdelfadeel, Dec 8, 2024
    #7
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  8. rodney

    rodney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Boring fight. Neither one impressed, Ali won as per the judges.
     
    rodney, Dec 8, 2024
    rodney, Dec 8, 2024
    #8
  9. PolishAssasin

    PolishAssasin Member Full Member

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    Round 15 is a showcase of Ali’s footwork and jabs for 99% of the round, then towards the end, Norton grabs Ali and beats up his torso, maybe landing 1-2 punches to gain a slight edge in the round, and it's actually unclear who should get it, lol.
     
    PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024
    PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024
    #9
  10. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 banned Full Member

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    The third fight with Norton says a LOT more about Norton, Norton was as good as he ever was and Ali was totally shot… yet it was extremely close despite Norton allegedly being a “buzz saw” for boxers lol.
     
    Journeyman92, Dec 8, 2024
    Journeyman92, Dec 8, 2024
    #10
  11. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    I mean if Ali won 99% of the round and Norton himself didn’t think he won the round (though he maintained he didn’t need it to win the fight), it’s pretty clear who won it.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Dec 8, 2024
    swagdelfadeel, Dec 8, 2024
    #11
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  12. PolishAssasin

    PolishAssasin Member Full Member

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    The compubox statistics are in Norton's favor in this round.
     
    PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024
    PolishAssasin, Dec 8, 2024
    #12
  13. PRW94

    PRW94 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Compubox didn’t score the fight. Subjective human judges did and still do.
     
    PRW94, Dec 8, 2024
    PRW94, Dec 8, 2024
    #13
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  14. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It's just human being watching TV on the old fights .
     
    ThatOne, Dec 8, 2024
    ThatOne, Dec 8, 2024
    #14