What if Holmes had fought an immed. rematch with Ken Norton? Thier fight was razor thin. Or how would they fare in both thier prime's? Holmes was still a little green & Norton was at the end of his prime at the time of thier fight.
. I think this basically says it all. Although Norton was in fantastic shape for their first and only match, as well as coming off a career great run, he was basically standing on the edge of what would be a very steep and fast tumble off the mountain. As absurd as it may sound, Norton seemingly turned into an old man over night. Additionally, Holmes was supposedly fighting with a torn bicep muscle and at this point had only been in the ring with perhaps two or three decent opponents prior to Norton. Had they rematched say, 6 months to a year later, a diminished Norton would have lost more decsively to a healthier and more seasoned Holmes........
Perhaps, or could thier style's have meshed to where they would always be in a war like say: Ali-Frazier or Bowe-Holyfield? Anyway thier fight was a classic.
The rematch that everybody wanted. Then Earnie Shavers spoilt the party. As has been said,because of the age difference,Norton would have been one year older,Holmes one year more mature. A rematch would still have been a good fight,though. Norton would still have had his moments,but with more daylight between them on the scorecards. Prime for prime,they would have had a series of fights. Each of them probably as close and controversial as Ken's trilogy with the man himself,Ali.
Honestly, I think Holmes has a much easier time. Kenny was aging and I'm sure Holmes learnt things about him in there to take advantage of.
The rematch could easily have happened. If Ken had caught Shavers with his best shots in their eliminator,instead of Shavers catching him ! It would n't have been impossible. Norton may not have hit as hard as Shavers,but earlier in his career,Earnie had been stopped by guys who were lighter hitters than Norton.
Frankly, I think Ken was finished as a world beater after the Holmes fight. Yes, he was one of the very best heavyweights around in 1978, but as I already mentioned, I think he was on the edge of a very steep and fast fall around the time he met Larry. There are some, who even think that both Scott Ledoux and Tex Cobb deserved the nod against him...
Cobb was cleanly beaten by Norton, I can say that actually viewing the fight a while ago. I have no idea how he performed so badly against LeDoux but looked extremely good against Cobb shortly afterwards. Hot and cold towards the end of his career, I suppose.
That fight wasnt close at all on my card, Holmes outboxed him for the majority & even stayed right there with Norton in the last 3 amazing rds where both went to war. Holmes won about 10 rds, he`d have won a rematch in similar fashion, preferrably with all 3 judges non-blind.
I never understood why Norton had to fight SHavers to get a rematch with Holmes? As close as the Holmes/NOrton fight was, and as exciting as it was, an immediate rematch should have been put together. Norton got screwed!
Norton was not part of the don king stable, that's why. Norton was always a pretty much independant fighter and did things on a fight by fight basis. Those guys never do get the opportunities the other guys get and have to take a different path.
Couldnt have said it better myself. Great fight btw, Norton is very much underappreciated in all-time heavyweight lists IMO, despite having a great resume in the deepest heavyweight division of all time.