If Ken Norton had Challenged Jack Johnson?

Johnson did not have the humongous punch that was always Norton's Kryptonite ,but he was a master at picking off punches.He would have to adjust to Norton's workrate and tying him up would not be as easy as it was against some of his smaller challengers.Would Jack's uppercut find it's way through Kenny's cross armed defence ? I think so, enough times to prevent the ex Marine marching in with impunity anyway.
Johnson would have to be at the top of his game because, though I don't think he was a really great fighter, Norton was strong, aggressive ,big and hit pretty hard.Kenny came in that slight crouch Jack would nail him then, but his ribs would take punishment.
Johnson by close dec imo.

 

Johnson so overraed to me. Clutch an grab. Best move was to grab and uppercut. His hook was a slap ..jab was ok as was rt hand. Defense mostly consisted of tying u up and holding or blocking with his arms.
Norton had a great jab vicious hook up an downstairs plus the best overhand rt in the game. That jab and herkey jerky defense confuses Johnson and when he goes to clinch Norton pushes him off as much as he can and unloads the heavy artillery.
Norton UD edit here. More I think about this I c Norton Stopping him.

 

Johnson was great fighter mixing fighting with the clinch a bit like how Floyd used MMA tactics in the clinch I feel it depends on if it`s a modern era ref because Johnson wouldn`t be allowed to clinch as much which was what his whole brilliant style was based around.

 

I'd take Norton by decision maybe but it's ridiculously hard to judge Johnson accurately.

 

Jack Johnson 6'-1/2", 74" reach, 208 lbs. Ken Norton 6'-3", 80" reach, 210 lbs.

Johnson by close decision, in a tough fight.

 

The one thing that stands out in my mind is the style of the fighter. Norton had problems with the big heavy-fisted sluggers. But the Ali's, the Holmes', the Young's, he gave them pure hell. And that overhand right of his would love to get acquainted with the straight-up stance of Johnson's jaw. I see the Norton workrate - which Johnson didn't care for - and bodywork getting Ken to a safe distance ahead on points, while Johnson works on his counters, which he was good at. Could he pull the fight out of the bag late? If he couldn't, it would be Norton on points. If he could hurt Ken, he was an excellent finisher. So this is iffy and wouldn't be betting the house on it.

 

I know. And his ring record is very suspect, as he lost and drew to lesser men who would not come close to being in the top 20 today. Remember he was KO'd, Outboxed, and floored in three separate fight vs. guys ( Choynski, O'Brien, and Ketchel ) who were likely under 170 pound, lost to Hart, was outpointed by Griffin, Ko'd by Klondike ( two books says he quit in the match on the floor ) and according to the NY Times report, lucky to hand on to a draw vs Battling Jim Johnson in a 10 round match as champion.

But some will pick him over Norton who should be 2-1 vs. some guy named Ali, and near even with Larry Holmes?

Anyone who has watched the films knows Norton is bigger, stronger, and a better boxer. He's not one of those short and limited skilled heavies ( or light heavies to middles ) that Johnson fought that would fall into a clinch, and get manhandled / uppercut all day long.

Norton has an excellent body attack, a whip-like jab, and a good right hand. Johnson would not see the 10th round, nor did he throw enough punches to take the win on points if it went the distance.

 

You forgot his tko loss to GunBoat Smith!lol

 

Nah, that one's too easy Let's break new ground for those who might not know. Getting hurt by a joke like Ross while Johnson was champion I think is even better.

" In the fourth round, Ross landed his only telling blow of the fight, a vicious right hand that shook Johnson. "

Ross has been KO'd four times before in just a few fights, and won just one of his last eight leading up to Johnson! He wasn't much of a puncher, yet the only telling blow he landed had Johnson hurt? Just imagine what Norton would do to him?

Inserting facts and organizing data should allow fair-minded people a chance to make up their minds, and as we know you can not say what I'm typing in is not true.

 

Some good points about the stylistic elements of the match-up. Johnson generally like to Milton Berle it, just pull out enough to win. That could backfire against a momentum fighter like Norton. And I don't think Johnson had the pop to turn this fight on a dime once it got going downhill for Norton.

 

I find them to far apart in time to give an opinion. There isn't enough footage against decent fighters to give an accurate opinion on Johnson !

 

You've already repeated two lies O Brien out boxing Johnson, Choynski being under 170lbs when he fought Johnson , it comes automatically to you because you are a congenital liar.

" Ross landed his only telling blow," what does that tell you? Here is the full report which you somehow managed to not include.

"Johnson sent Ross down for a count of nine in the first round. Ross went down again in the third for a count of eight. In the fourth round, Ross landed his only telling blow of the fight, a vicious right hand that shook Johnson. Johnson battered Ross over the last two rounds."lol


Ross drew with Schreck 3 times beat Moran, beat Palzer,Ferguson,Flynn,Gardner,and drew with Jeannette.

Wasnt much of a puncher? Of his 24 wins 20 were by stoppage!
Cyberzones record of Ross previous 8 fights prior to fighting Johnson

Sep 22 Mike Schreck Columbus, Oh D 6 Oct 12 Bill Edwards New Castle, Pa KO 8 Oct 18 Mike Schreck Houghton, Mi D 10 Dec 6 Bill Edwards Pittsburgh, Pa ND 6 1910 Jan 12 Tommy Dugan New Castle, Pa KO 2 Jan 20 Bill Edwards Pittsburgh, Pa ND 6 Feb 17 Morris Harris New Castle, Pa ND 12 -Some sources report 2/14/10 Mar 14 Jack Fitzgerald New Castle, Pa ND 12 Apr 19 "Battling" Jim Johnson Philadelphia, Pa ND 6

That's your misinformation demolished!