Obviously Holmes was in his prime when he beat Norton, and would be in his prime for the rest of Norton's fighting days. On the other hand, the Holmes fight would prove to be Norton's last great performance, although he looked pretty darn good against Stephens and Cobb later on down the road. I don't think there's any doubt that Norton would lose the rematch, whether it's in '78, '79, or '80. But does Norton actually have a chance to beat Larry in a rematch, or does he lose (I think he does for sure)? If he loses, is it a closely contested, brutal fight like the previous one, or does Larry beat him with ease? Will Norton even last the distance, or will he have to quit, or be knocked out? This is one of my favorite fantasy fight rematches.
I believe that Larry Holmes beats Ken Norton again this time easier than when he beat him for the title on June 9 1978. Larry has already seen the style that Ken used in their previous match. Larry stops Ken in 9 rounds after boxing him, using that very stiff left jab, and good lateral movement. Ken is on the slide at this point of his career, what is left of it. He would be left for Scott Le Doux, Earnie Shavers, and Gerry Cooney to take credit for abusing this resident of a boxing nursing home.
Holmes by late stoppage in a rematch. Especially if he’s fighting with an uninjured bicep muscle this time around
Post fight Norton said his mistake was starting too slow based on a tactical belief that Holmes would tire later (Holmes less experienced, hadn't yet fought over 15 etc). Holmes dominated the early rounds and tho Norton got the better of the second half Holmes didn't tire the way he expected to. Ken was only getting older and Holmes was hitting his peak period tho so i really can't see Kenny turning it around. Peak for peak they'd go life and death ever time imo.
Larry never sees a day where he steamrolls Ken like Earnie Shavers did — and Norton was favored going into that fight, with the winner getting a crack at Holmes — but he beats him in any rematch scenario. Norton’s battle vs. Holmes was his last stand. His legs, reflexes and durability were never the same, and whatever was left Shavers beat out of him. He still had the will and showed it against Cobb, but that wouldn’t be enough against a Holmes who was only getting better. Larry TKO 9, maybe close after five but from there on Larry begins to see off and eventually puts too much hurt on him.
Holmes would stop Ken imo this time. That was Norton s last great fight, a rematch would be a step to far.
The pattern of the Norton-Holmes fight was pretty much the same as the Norton-Ali fights. Norton starting slow and cautious with his opponent taking the early rounds. Norton comes on in the middle rounds with the fight being up for grabs in the very last rounds. To win a rematch against Holmes, Norton would have to apply more pressure earlier and keep something in the tank for the end. Not impossible, but I believe that Holmes would be the more adaptable and do better in the rematch, much like he did in his rematch against Earnie Shavers. Holmes was on the upgrade and Norton was on the downgrade. And of course two healthy and sound arms would only help Holmes. 50-50 on whether it goes the limit but a clear win for Holmes.
Larry Holmes like always, never gave a rematch to a fighter who kicked his ass like spoon or a past prime Norton
In early '79 Holmes-Norton II was pretty much a done deal. The mags were previewing it. Homes and Norton just had to get past their tune-up fights against, respectively, Ossie Ocasio (and Holmes was supposed to be fighting Jimmy Young that night before Ocasio upset the apple cart, twice.) and Earnie Shavers. Hindsight tells us that it was foolish to put Norton in with Shavers. That's hindsight for you. At the time Shavers was thought to be past it. Norton was favored, though only 9-5. Leroy Jones would've been a better option; American heavy, top-15, Don King controlled (I think).
I agree, except that Holmes did not foolishly allow Norton to trap him in corners and on the ropes and unload with attacks to the body like Ali did in their second fight.