Two well-known figures whose primary claim to fame are wins over more highly-regarded Heavyweight Champions. Between them, they won at least four of the combined six fights. A reasonable case can be made they won all six. I have to side with Bowe on his best night, personally, though a Norton victory is not inconceivable. I’ll say Bowe TKO6.
Maybe way off beam, but I see Riddick coming out fast and actually stopping Norton early, first or second round imo.
Bowe by KO Norton has the cross arm defence which leaves him vulnerable to the uppercuts which is one of Bowe's best weapons. Norton can't fight on the backfoot which is what gave Bowe problems so I don't see this as a good match up for Norton.
Ali and Jimmy Young are on a different level than Holyfield IMO. Any of the top HWs could beat Holy on the right day going 2-3 against him doesn't tell us much. But Bowes got the measurables where you can pick him over anyone ever at HW and its reasonable. He didn't show much but he showed enough where he can't be written off in any of these hypotheticals. You can say Bowe could serve as the prime Foreman here and just take Norton out early for sure.
How is Young on a different level to Holyfield explain ? apart from being a better defensive fighter i can't see many attributes that Young has over Holyfield to be quite honest.
"If" Bowe stays away from the refrigerator, he wins this one, probably by late stoppage. But that is a big "if"
He beat 70s Foreman almost beat Ali and Norton. Holyfields got more power and maybe even a better chin but at HW they were both point fighters. Holyfields fighting to win the decision and I don't think hes got a good chance to do that against Jimmy.
I see Young outpointing Holyfield. Not that Young was better than Holyfield but it's a styles thing. A pressure fighter like Marciano, Frazier or Tyson would be the foil to Young.
Norton almost beat Holmes and Bowe wasn't as good as Larry and he didn't hit THAT much harder than him imo. Bowe also had less experience against top fighters than Norton so I'm going with Kenny by decision here.
Norton had a boxer-killer style. Bowe wouldn't worry too much about how to pop his jab out on Norton and wouldn't care that he couldn't on the sit outside and box Norton--Bowe didn't need to use his range anyway, his most noteworthy work was done on the inside against Holyfield, Golota, Gonzalez, Hide. Bowe was so physical. I think Norton would hold up to the leaning and hugging and general physicality of Bowe but once Riddick started peppering in uppercuts and clubbing right hands from all angles it would become dangerous for Norton fast. Awkward angle punches like the chopping overhand and short uppercut can both sneak into Norton's defense and did, Bowe had mastered both of these techniques. Norton could use his physicality to impose his will if he was stronger than his opponent and his opponent wanted to fight, and his ring-craft to bring his opponent down to his speed if they wanted to box from the outside. I think Norton gets into trouble when someone is more physical than him and is just there to throw down and not jab it out. Bowe is a really bad matchup for Kenny in my opinion, he could outhustle Norton and tag him up, lean on him and wear him down but the real issue is when Bowe begins hammering away on the inside. I'm pretty sure Bowe could handle Norton's power, but I am sure Norton would have issues with Bowe's. I think Bowe would probably find Norton as soon as Norton opened up for a big exchange. Not saying it would be a KO but probably set the table for a KO. Bowe inside of 5.
I would bet my child's college fund on a Young/Holyfield match, for Holyfield. Some people on this thread believe that's what makes me a "bad father" or a "gambling addict" or some other nonsense. I think it makes me a stable genius. A VERY stable genius.
I think Bowe beats Norton, but IMO the fights vs Golota are not a good example of what Bowe could do in the inside, because by then he was already gone of the game. Bowe got the heck beaten of him twice until Dr. Golota decided it was time to extirpate his gonads in public...