One of the best Heavyweight Title bouts ever. Took off work to watch it. Never cared for Norton. Especially since I think Young got jobbed. Holmes all day long.
Ken would box not to lose, as he did in Yankee Stadium, while Larry always fought to win (with Holyfield being something of an exception). Even with his torn left bicep, Holmes did enough to clinch the scoring of his 1978 showdown with Norton within the first ten rounds, if fair and accurate judging had been applied. Kenny pissed away the first several rounds of Ali II by following Muhammad around, but not punching as he did so. Larry takes this one every time, even with that injury. Norton would allow himself to be dug into too deep a hole to rally from and climb out of.
The question then really, is how much did Norton lose in two years. He had aged for sure, though 1977 was probably his biggest year. Instinct tells me Holmes would win, but I think it would've been closer.
Same result.......... Holmes wins.... Norton of Yankee Stadium and of Caesars Palace were within 2 years of each other.... Norton was a ripped 217 1/2 for Ali and a solid 220 for Holmes.... Norton was always gonna be slower and more mechanical when facing Lawrence Holmes of '78 and 209 pounds.... I actually prefered Holmes when he matured around 1980 and was 211 to 213 pounds..... Holmes gained some added strength there.... MR.BILL:hat
The stocky Holmes of the Butterbean fight was the powerhouse Holmes. 250+ pounds of Easton Assassin!:yep
Funny... Holmes was 254 there against Bean in 2002, but had he been back around 236 at the time, he would've been perfectly fit for a man age 52 yrs.... Holmes at 232 / 233 for "Mercer and Holy" in 1992 had little excess fat on him at that stage of his career and age......He was good there... MR.BILLbbb:hat
In Ali-Norton 2 Norton had problems chasing Ali around,because of Muhammad's phenomenal speed. Up to this moment in time,it was the fastest he'd been since the Zora Foley fight,six years earlier.