Norton. Apart from punching power he was far more skilled than Max. No doubt that Baer would have given Ken problems though.
Agree with you there, Stevie. I think head to head, it's a risky fight for Ken. That right hand of max s could really mess up Ken. But I do hold Norton in high regard.
Norton in my opinion. I could not see Max giving tough fights to the likes of Ali and Holmes in the way that Norton did. Though i sure would have enjoyed being Baer in the mid 1930s, when he was 'entertaining' a bevvy of female stars, starlets and chorus girls.
Braddock was homeless? Baer at least beat 2 world heavyweight champions who were prime.Norton was awarded his title and his rep rests on 3 close decs with Ali.
Has to be Bear, any fighter that starts his career with wins over : Tillie Taverva, Chief Caribou, Tiny Abbot, and the formidable Benny Hill, is gonna be hard to beat stay safe guys.
Baer has more great wins imo. Beating Schmeling, Primo, Schaaf, Galento, Farr as compared to Norton’s best wins. I’ll keep it at that
Norton although Baer has more good wins that I typically remember: Max Schmeling Primo Carnera Ernie Shaaf Johny Risko King Levinsky Tomy Farr etc. Norton on the other hand: Ali (iconic win, you don't usually get one better than that.) sprinkled by an insanely close trilogy that was decided by single rounds. Jimmy Young (coming off of victories against Lyle and Foreman) Jerry Quarry (circumstances aside) .. Randal Cobb coming off of a win over Shavers, Duane Bobick, and some filler wins like Lovell, Garcia, Stander, and Kirkman, as well as an extremely close fight with Holmes. Both were legit champions as far as I'm concerned, as both Norton and the version of Young that he fought would best Ali of the Spinks bouts. He ducked and was stripped, although granted it would be a relatively hollow victory.
Ken Norton's son, Ken Jr was a member of an NFL Super Bowl winning team, also Ken Jr was a defensive coordinator when his NFL days were finished. Max Baer Sr's son Max Jr was a family member of The Beverly Hillbillies, Jethro Boudine, a Double Knaut Spy.
The son also rises! This is something I would post that doesn't detract from the thread but adds a nice touch to it!! CHEERS Richard!!!
Excellent topic and it's very tough to pick one over the other. I chose Norton, not quite based off his resume, which has some excellent wins and low point losses. But Norton does garner points for having 4 incredibly close bouts with Ali and Holmes AND for being one of the top names in that golden 70's era of heavyweight boxing. He fought everyone in the 70's, ala Holyfield in the 90's. Head 2 Head might be a different story but that's a close call as well. I'll stick around to see what the forum feels is justified.