Who was greater: Ken Norton or Vitali Klitschko

I think it's an interesting discussion.

Vitali has alot more filler in his career with the title fights.

But in Norton's era it was harder to win a title because its considered the strongest Heavyweight era of all time and there was less belts which means less paper champions.

So that has to be taken into consideration.

Norton had 4 world title fights.

1 vs a prime Foreman.

1 vs Ali.

1 vs a prime Young who is the Byrd of his era who Vitali lost to.

And a prime Holmes who he lost to by 1 point on 3 of the judges scorecards.

So the likes of Foreman, Holmes, Ali, are atleast a level or 2 above pretty much anyone on Vitali's best wins.

And even Young would be amongst Vitali's best wins.

But here's some pros for Vitali.

Even if you're not overly impressed with Vitali's title runs he still had 15 title wins which you can't simply overlook.

Vitali was never behind on the scorecards in any of his fights and his dominace has to be taken into consideration aswell.

Vitali also had better longevity he won a title in his 40s. Where as Norton had a bad end to his career getting poleaxed by Shavers, Cooney, in 1 round.

Norton had higher highs but I don't think he had enough of those highs to overcome the sheer quantity of Vitali's title wins.

15 title wins to 1 is hard to overlook even if the names weren't amazing.

 

You say that which is true but would Norton of won a belt vs Sanders for example ?

Yeah Sanders was 37 years old and not in the greatest shape.

But he was dangerous in the early rounds and he's also fast and a big puncher.

The punches Vitali took early on from Sanders let's be real Norton would've probably been KO'ed.

And as much as I like Norton he has some glaring weaknesses against big punchers even if he excells vs elite outboxers.

So anytime Norton is in there with a big puncher you can't automatically make him a favourite let's be real.

 

Yeah this is also true but then there's a few other examples.

Like Vitali would probably beat the 1976 version of Ali for the title.

It's swings and roundabouts.

But for the criticism Vitali gets for his opposition and it is valid criticism.

Norton probably wouldn't replicate Vitali's 15 title wins.

 

Where do you rate McCall and Rahman?

 

Me personally I rate Vitali above Norton because the quantity of Vitali's title wins 15 to 1 is too much to overlook IMO.

Quality can trump quantity but I don't think Norton has a whole lot of quality wins outside of the Ali win and a very close controversial decision win over Young.

Unless you think Norton's gallant losses to the Ali, Holmes, adds to his greatness and standing which is an argument in favour of Norton.

But Norton also has some devastating defeats being stopped early 3 times which hurts his legacy aswell somewhat.

I think Vitali's cleaner record, more filler in regards to title wins, and better longevity, gives him the edge IMO.

 

Ken Norton will be a more iconic name in the boxing history.

But Vitali Klitschko will be a nightmare for him : Iron chin, his reach is the same , his power, his physical... he will probably KO him or stop him in 10-11 rounds and even before in 8-9 rounds.


I voted for Ken Norton because he have still a better career on the paper, he was in a more strong era than Vitali Klitschko and that's make the difference for me.

 

Best wins (Rahman, McCall, Norton)
1. Lewis, Lewis, Ali
2. Sanders, Holmes, Young
3. Tua rematch (officially a draw), Damiani, Quarry
4. Barrett, Akinwande, Bobick
5. Meehan, Maskaev, Stander

All had multiple bad loses. Rahman is the only two time champion. Norton also has the close loses to a washed Ali.

Nobody wants to rate these guys ahead of Norton and definitely not Vitali, but I believe Norton is closer to them than Vitali.

 

Exactly. Norton’s resume ( while good ) relies too heavily on the Ali win.

 

Who was Vitali desperate to fight? Who was he chasing? For how long?

Byrd got rejected. That a fight Vitali should've chased. Why wasn't Vitali desperate to rematch Byrd?

Rahman got rejected 3 times. Toney called out Vitali. Holyfield called out Vitali.

Valeuv said Vitali offered him a slave contract. Why wasn't Vitali desperate to fight Valeuv?

Jameel McCline was rejected. Why wasn't Vitali desperate to fight McCline?

Just who exactly was Vitali desperate to fight and who was he chasing?

 

Vitali is the greater of the 2