Why isnt Ken Norton spoken about among the hardest hitters

Probably because Foreman, Shavers, Lyle and Cooney generally occupy those discussions given the margins they held over the rest of the field.

But no question, while being short of the aforementioned fighters demonstrated power, Norton could hit hard for sure - Ken would be hell for anyone who couldn’t get him out of there..all just imo.

 

He was a good puncher but not a killer.

 

Same way Vitali isn't spoken off as a huge hitter despite his huge ko percentage.

 

Same reason Mariah Carey isn't spoken about among the hardest hitters. Who'd he ever knock out?

 

A)You had Foreman, Shavers, Lyle and Frazier in his era.

B)The fights Nortons most associated with are close decisions with Ali, Jimmy Young and Holmes and getting flatlined by Foreman, Shavers and Cooney. The best fighters Nortons outpointed are Ali and Jimmy Young the best one he knocked out is Quarry and it was via cuts. So Nortons put in the mover group because he outpointed a much higher caliber of fighter then he knocked out. When you compare Norton to the best ever its because you think he can outpoint them in a 15 rounder where no one hits the canvas not because you think he'd win a shootout.

Maybe this is unfair and if he was in another era he'd be seen as a power guy. But a fighter is associated with what they do at the highest level.

 

Here's some of the opponents Norton knocked out:

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I think he hit a bit harder than guys like Ali and Holmes but obviously isn't in the puncher category. His power is commonly underrated tho.

 

His power was underrated, he was a borderline puncher, if not a puncher.

 

Mmmm...Yes, I think I am somewhere betwixt you. If that's a word.

 

It sounds dirty.

 

Agreed. They both more or less wore their opponents down. Both could definitely crack, but they weren't necessarily one shot KO guys.

 

Mmmmm...yes. It is dirty. Could you, by any chance, wear this red wig, for just a minute? Probably much less than a full minute, really.

 

Your fantasy is to get tapped by a clown? Aren't you the kinky one! Or just under one!

 

This. Norton was not a savage puncher. He was also a slow starter who could get KOed early himself. Not taking anything away from Norton he fought in an incredibly competitive era and held his own and was robbed on scorecards in at least three of his losses.