How do you think a younger, near prime Muhammad Ali of 1967 would have done against a prime Ken Norton? I'm not sure if Ali deserved 2 out of 3 wins against Norton ... I'm not even sure Ali ever really beat Norton ... I have Ali beating Frazier 2 out of 3 but with Norton it's harder to say if Ali ever truly defeated him. The last 2 fights with Norton were close and his style was just something Ali couldn't figure out or adapt too ... But I feel a younger Ali who had amazing footwork and movement would have decisively gotten a decision over any version of Norton in a tough 15 rounder. Ali was honestly done after his third fight with Frazier and should have retired. His career after that was hard to watch for an objective fan ... He got a gift decision over Jimmy Young, had a very controversial decision over Norton, lost to Spinks and then fought Holmes and Berbick when he had literal brain damage.
Norton would always be tricky for Ali. I think it would be like the second fight, but with Ali winning more clearly.
I would favour young Ali. I think, that a young Ali has the energy and speed to win on points, but Norton would be always tough for him.
Norton would break his jaw. Norton was a Marine. He had no love lost for draft dodgers, be they young or old
It was close man Have to watch it again but from memory Ali edged it but not truly decisively Norton was Ali's toughest opponent ... He could beat Frazier but with Norton it's always ugly and hard to score
Remember when Muhammad Ali fought Ken Norton on March 31 1973, Sept 10 1973, and Sept 28 1976 he was far from 1967 peak form, the first fight against Ken, he was overweight at 221lbs, The 1967 edition had speed, stamina, footwork, and impeccable timing. On the night of Sept 28 1976, I heard the fight on the radio, Floyd Patterson , who was talking to the commentator stated that Ali looked far from the fighter that he fought on Nov 22 1965, Patterson stated that Ali's legs were long gone, as he kept using the Rope A Dope. A peak Ali would have moved and befuddled Norton with his above mentioned attributes to score a unanimous decision in 15 rounds, Ali of the 1970's was a different champion than he was in the 1960's, He never had a devastating punch but in the 1970's he was far too vulnerable, easy to hit.
I disagree. Frazier will always give Ali hell. I agree Ali would still win 9-6, or something of that sort.
