Could Bowe ,in the same position of Larry Holmes take the WBC title from Ken Norton ? Not a easy thing to achieve in my opinion ,Norton gave a ATG a hell of a battle to hold on to his title . Could Bowe do it Iyo ?
Either of these guys could have beaten the other, because both had a punch but could not take them. It was very apparent for Norton...Bowe was well-protected but you really saw it in the Golota fights. If I has to pick, I see Big-Daddy's big overhand right doing the trick.
Don't agree with the comment above about Bowe not having a good chin. He couldn't have stood up to the huge beating Golota gave him twice otherwise. Bowe had trouble with guys who could move (see Tony Tubbs) and Norton's not in that category. Throw in Norton's shaky chin and Bowe's good right hand and I take by Bowe by KO.
Bowe at his peak was an intimidating guy in the ring. He had a way of bulldozing smaller opponents, and the only one in that category who was able to stand toe to toe was the iron-chinned and iron-willed Holyfield. Norton was obviously a force in his own right, and would give anyone hell if they couldn't deter him. The issue was that big punchers were able to do just that. He didn't have a great chin, and he could be intimidated. Bowe wasn't a puncher in the league of Foreman, Shavers or Cooney, but he hit hard enough to hurt Norton. Bowe was very good on the inside for a big man, which would make Norton wary of getting too close. This may be falling into the trap of relying on this fantasy version of Bowe that we only saw in a couple of fights, but I think he has too much size and strength and forces a mid rounds stoppage.