Was Terry Norris underrated historically?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Jun 24, 2026.

  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    On talent alone was he one of the best junior -Middleweight ever, or did his vulnerability s keep him below the elite ?
     
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2026
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  2. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Being starched by Julian Jackson is no crime, but a truly great fighter beats him (see McCallum, Michael), and he also doesn’t get tripped up and stopped by a somewhat shop-worn Simon Brown.

    He falls short of being great, as his temper and frailties could never quite be held in check.
     
    salsanchezfan, Jun 24, 2026
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  3. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good question,Fergy. I have him as one of the best Light-Middles ever but still a rung ot two below the likes of Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 24, 2026
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  4. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He's certainly Top 5 greatest fighter at 154 due to his title defenses. Underrated fighter but I'm not sure if I would put him in as an ATG. He was skilled and very gifted offensive fighter but his chin and hot headed mentality really holds him back as being considered a truly great fighter. Plus his best wins were fighters who were smaller and no longer at their best.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 24, 2026
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  5. Samart'sTeep

    Samart'sTeep Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think that's a fair assessment. Awesome talent. Really good fighter. But falls a bit short of being an all-time great. He had great skills and abilities, but his fight IQ, while not bad, sometimes left something to be desired. It was just okay.
     
    Samart'sTeep, Jun 24, 2026
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  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Agree with you there pal.
    At his best, absolute speed demon and vicious with it.Had some really exciting fights.
    A lot younger Leonard beats him imo.
    Hearns,he could very well send him out the same way as Julian Jackson!
     
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2026
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I'm trying to do a few thread's on the lower weight s, Stevie.
    The heavyweight s are getting plenty of attention and the lower weight guy's don't seem to get a look in.lol
     
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2026
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  8. Boxing GOAT

    Boxing GOAT Active Member Full Member

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    He was one of the best at 154. He would have starched Jermell.
     
    Boxing GOAT, Jun 24, 2026
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  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Julio Cesar Vasquez was better. It was not by accident Norris didn't fight him.
     
    Seamus, Jun 24, 2026
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  10. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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    I think Norris is a better technical fighter, when he boxed beautifully like in Brown 2 and earlier in his career against big punching future 160 pound champion Quincy Taylor he had the tools to beat most of the best light-middle champs.

    Problem he never did, got embroiled in wars, his dodgy chin was a real weakness.

    Vazquez was a tough warrior, good puncher and had more skills than he is credited with.

    I actually think the rugged Argentinean would comeback from an early rounds pasting to knock Norris clean out.
     
    Fireman Fred, Jun 24, 2026
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