Ali vs Norton 3

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SeanK, Apr 8, 2019.



  1. rodney

    rodney Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    3rd fight Asswipe
     
  2. Rakesh

    Rakesh Active Member Full Member

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    Only a day ago it was the 45th anniversary for this fight, I originally scored it as 144-141 Ali as a biased young lad decades ago. Recently rescoring it I saw it as a close and competitive 143-142 Norton! I can definitely see one of those rounds (forgot which one, may have been around 4-6) swaying to Ali which would give it to Ali. Not as big of a robbery as people make it in my opinion, people make it out to be a shut out for Norton. Ali vs Norton 2 still is my favorite fight out of these two elite fighters meetings.
     
  3. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Half of the fans here disagreed with the official verdict.
    When folks preferred Norton, they tended to give him a bigger margin of victory.
    Maybe it is useful to focus on the last round-all the official judges gave it to Ali, but many thought Norton finished stronger.
    [url]https://eyeonthering.com/boxing/muhammad-ali-vs-ken-norton-iii[/url]

    Does this microcosm reveal an Ali bias?
    Or can you legitimately find enough, including re: impact of shots or ring generalship to justify it?
     
  4. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Norton was the aggressor most of the fight. The clean punching and the harder punches were certainly Kenny Norton. That little flick Ali was putting out there used to be a jab. Most came up short or were blocked by Norton. Maybe that is where the conflict is. What value did those flicks by Ali deserve? Not much imo.
    Norton said after the fight that Ali never hit him hard the entire 15 rounds in Yankee stadium. Ali had little snap. He bullsh.. his way 15 rounds.
     
  5. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    That is just an Ali talking point to make it seem it wasnt a bad decision. Norton was a boxer anyway. Why would he go out for the 15th and go crazy ? He was in control and it would have given Ali openings.
    Like any sport stick to what was working for the first 14 rounds.
     
  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I tend to agree with your assessment. Ali's always been my favourite boxer but looking at the third fight in the cold light of day I score it for Norton but not by a mile as some would have it.

    Muhammad and Ken's second fight is also my own fave out of the trilogy. That one I definitely score for Muhammad,albeit very closely.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2021
    ETM likes this.
  7. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    I didn't watch it with Ferdie Pacheco doing the voice over commentary. That is what many fans were subjected to in the years since that fight..ESPN would show it from time to time as Pacheco put his spin on it.
     
  8. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Ali's popularity mainly. Huge majority of writers at the time had Norton a clear winner. This was 1976. Ali's popularity among the press and main street was peaking. Yet about 19 of 22 boxing writers called it for Norton.
     
  9. SolomonDeedes

    SolomonDeedes Active Member Full Member

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    That's just not true. Many writers scored the fight for Ali. Those who scored it for Norton mostly did so by narrow margins.

    [url]http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2205&dat=19761002&id=QBInAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UwMGAAAAIBAJ&pg=1189,2637077[/url]
     
    JohnThomas1 and swagdelfadeel like this.
  10. The Long Count

    The Long Count Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I gave it to Norton by a round. I think Norton won his rounds way more decisively than Ali won his. Bad call but not a robbery.
     
  11. autumn1976

    autumn1976 Member Full Member

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    Same here. I have always thought that Holmes very clearly won this fight. Game effort by Norton and he certainly had his moments. But Holmes was stellar that night. What a jab! So quick and punishing. Quite willing, like yourself, to believe that it all looked different from ringside.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2021
    Pat M likes this.
  12. autumn1976

    autumn1976 Member Full Member

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    Last edited: Oct 31, 2021
  13. Mark Dunham

    Mark Dunham Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I thought Jimmy Young made Ali look bad. this was far worse.

    all I remember was Kenny's right hand repeatedly crashing into Ali's head. it was hard to watch and after it was over, you could see Ali knew he was beat

    Not only was Ali beat, he was BEAT UP and he shouldnt have taken this fight
     
  14. Pugguy

    Pugguy Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I thought Norton won the rubber and felt it unfair that Norton later became known as a non legit paper champ when (at least IMO) he actually won the title rightfully in the ring v Ali. His first defence of the paper title? Larry freaking Holmes. Even then, an argument could be made for Norton but by an ever so slight margin.
     
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  15. red corner

    red corner Active Member banned Full Member

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    Norton won is 9-6 and there were no knockdowns or big shots landed. maybe you can call a round or two even. Check the punch stats, they pretty much tell the tale.