Are you sure about that? Kenny was certainly the better boxer, naturally bigger, just as strong, just as quick, better jab. Norton had the much better defense. The jab is where Norton keeps the drama out of it Norton beats Holyfield in one sided fashion. 10-5 or 11-4 with a KD. Even a little past it Kenny was good enough to give Larry Holmes a great fight. Holyfield was no Holmes
Norton in every department other than chin. This would be a tactical boxing match he couldn't cope with Norton's jab and defense. Evander being a warrior inspires much loyalty but he isn't beating Norton.
Great combination puncher with a iron chin vs another equally skilled fighter with a awkward defence, and not a great chin. I wouldnt expect this not going the distance, sure holyfield could stop him if he gets on a roll, but I'm not positive he figures Norton out and Ken did have a great jab and probably quicker hands and feet. If I really got to pick one, I'm slightly siding towards Norton
I think Holyfield would stop Norton. When he wanted to he could really turn up the heat and deliver the relentless pressure that Norton usually folded to...granted Holyfield wasn't quite up there with the likes of Shavers or Foreman in terms of punching power and Norton was fairly good defensively so it would be a decent slugfest for a while...but Holyfield would eventually have him hurt and maul his way to a TKO stoppage similar to the Cooper fight IMO
Holyfield had an incredible will. That's something that is hard to measure when determining a winner.
Norton wouldn't freeze against the Real Deal. So he would let his punches go and this fight would be enthralling contest like Holyfield vs Qawi or Holmes vs Norton. No knockdowns here and Real Deal higher workrate the difference. Real Deal pts.
Pretty much how I see this fight. I think Holy is better on the outside, though slightly, but significantly better on the inside. So even if the outside game isn't going as smoothly as Holy would like, Holy has no issues turning it into a war and getting inside to turn up the heat. He just has more ways to win this fight imo.
Except on the inside, where Holy is leagues better than Norton. He has the better chin, better combination puncher, better on his toes moving in and out of the pocket, better counterpuncher. I believe you're exaggerating Norton's superiority some.
I could be wrong but my sense is that Norton gets overrated primarily on the strength of his performances against a post-prime Ali (good wins but they don't make Norton some kind of master boxer imo).
I'd favour Norton. They have 2 common opponents, ignoring Foreman for the time being... Older Norton did better against against young Holmes than peak holyfield did against ancient Holmes. Not that it really matters, Having said that. I don't think holy would intimidate Norton, and I don't think holy hit significantly harder than Ali.
Your right Holyfield was good inside. Norton could fight inside as well. If Evander has an advantage it's marginal and he's gonna have to pay the cost to get in there consistantly. I don't the chin issue comes into play here. Evander was not a big enough puncher. Holyfield was the greater fighter but not a better heavyweight.
