This is a fight I've never seen. But for years I have heard many people say it was a robbery. I'm going to watch it and provide my own 2 cents on who I feel deservd the win. Any one who also wants to do this, or share thoughts on a fight between The Greatest and his boogeyman feel free. This content is protected
1- a good round for a talkative Ali. Although he misses with many shots he lands a few clean left hooks. Norton is very inactive. Clear Ali round for me. 10-9 Ali 2- clear Norton round. Much more aggressive, landing a bunch of hard body shots and some uppercuts to the head. This prevented Ali from throwing as many flurries. 19-19 3- a close round. I prefer Norton who landed the clearer and harder shots, including a right hand. 29-28 Norton.
4- a close competitive round. I preferred Ali to begin with but Norton pulled away in the last 45 seconds landing several looping shots and he also made Ali hold on earlier in the round. Norton's shots are much more eye catching. 39-27 Norton 5- clear Norton round. Ali languishes on the ropes for the majority of the round taking punishment from Norton, even though plenty is blocked. 49-36 Norton 6- again Norton. Begins landing his jab consistently. Ali's legs seem pretty done with. He is landing few shots of note and Norton's herky jerky awkward style is making him be hesitant. 59-45 Norton
Apparently my mathematical skills are horrible. Thank you. 7- Ali seems to have his legs back. He moves much better and lands several good 1-2s. Norton is left to chase him and miss. Norton 68-65 8- a more difficult one to score. Ali danced and landed some shots. But when Norton cornered him he would unload and land the more eye catching shots. Norton 78-74 9- Ali is dancing and he's doing it well. While not landing much he controls the round with a jab. A late shot from Norton isn't enough to give him the round. Norton 87-84
Not that it makes any difference, there were no 10-8 rounds, but the fight was scored by the rounds system
10- a close round but again I prefer Ali who is controlling the distance with his jab. He is also fighting better of the ropes now. Norton 96-94 11- both guys are tiring. I prefer Norton this round. He traded with Ali more and got the better of many of the exchanges Norton 106-103 12- Ali is tiring and spends much of the round on the ropes shipping punishment. A comeback at the end of the round isn't enough for him to win it. Norton 116-113 13- very close round, both guys have their moments. I preferred Ali's flurries, he snapped Norton's head back a few times. Norton 125-123 14- good round for Ali. Good work rate and clean punches. Norton's head movement is less consistent here, he looks tired to me. Norton 134-133 15- Ali is dancing but not landing. Norton lands several big shots which is enough for me to give him the round. Norton 144-142 I had it a pretty close fight. But. The rounds Norton won were generally clear to me. I thought Ali stole a few with his control and jab. But I can easily see people giving Norton those rounds.
Norton 8-6-1 for mine which by any definition is a close fight. Norton should have let it all hang out in the last few rounds in my opinion. He was a bit too conservative.
I scored it 8-7 Norton. Norton won most of his rounds, much more convincingly and clear cut than Ali which is why so many ppl were out raged. Judges gave Ali every close round.
I had Norton winning clearly based on clean punching, aggression and superior defense. Ali also created most of the clinches. Kenny took his jab away Ali couldn't really land that right lead like he usually does. At that time Ali seemed to get too much credit from the judges for just moving and jabbing even if the jabs were not landing. Doing an Ali personation so to speak. I still believe it was a bad decision.