Had the Norton Spinks fight gone ahead as proposed, and spinks trained as he had for Ali is this as clearcut a victory for Norton as it at first seems? Secondly how tough a fight do you think Weaver is next up for them?
Norton or Weaver would have little difficulty disposing if Spinks. However a Norton-Weaver fight would have been very interesting! I think they are evenly matched. Nortons jab would probably give him a slight edge going into the championship rounds. I would pick Norton over twelve. & Weaver to make a late run earning a split decision or a draw over fifteen rounds.
I think Kenny eats up Spinks and Leon takes a real beating in there before getting stopped. Weaver was a Norton sparring partner and I think his left hook is going to come over that crossarmed defense of Norton for the ko at some point. Plus, Kenny was going down the ladder career wise at that point & he might get a win over a Spinks but he won't have his A game in the next bout or 2 he'd have defending the title. I wanted to see Norton--Tate back then, but it never happened.
Norton would win, but it would be a tough fight for him, and he would go the distance. I could see Kenny stopping Mike late in the next fight.