Ken Norton Vs Evander Holyfield -Would It Be A Close Fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Jul 26, 2025.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Two warriors , Norton s awkward style and jab, pitted against Holyfield s relentless aggression and inside fighting.

    How close would a fight between the two be?
    In fact, what about a trilogy?
     
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
    #1
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  2. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    Fergy as always gives a lot of good topics.
    2:1 for Holyfield; let's give Norton credit and respect.
    But only prime Norton.
     
    ikrasevic, Jul 26, 2025
    ikrasevic, Jul 26, 2025
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  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Thank u ikrasevic, your a top poster yourself Pal :thumbsup:
     
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
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  4. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Sure. Holy wasn't quite a first-tier puncher so it becomes an attritional war, like Norton-Holmes or Holy-Cooper.

    Also, if held in the modern era, there is PEDs testing, so Holy probably loses.
     
    catchwtboxing, Jul 26, 2025
    catchwtboxing, Jul 26, 2025
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  5. Pat M

    Pat M Well-Known Member Full Member

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    What about Norton, there was no testing in the 70s, he wouldn't know how to beat the test.
     
    Pat M, Jul 26, 2025
    Pat M, Jul 26, 2025
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  6. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    There is no evidence Norton used. Holyfield was caught having HGH sent to his house under the name "Evan Fields," and it is a permanent taint on anything he accomplished.
     
    catchwtboxing, Jul 26, 2025
    catchwtboxing, Jul 26, 2025
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    First fight 15 rounds.
    Norton wins a razor thin, split decision,in a fight that' wins best of the year.

    Second fight 15 rounds
    Holyfield doesn't make excuses and studies Norton s style meticulously.
    After another wild, furious fight, The Real Deal is announced the winner by unanimous decision.

    Third fight 15 rounds
    The third fight takes place two years after the rematch, and Holyfield has looked less than spectacular recently.
    After a great start from Norton,he drops Holy twice before the fifth round, Evander claws his way back.
    Midway through the 11th round the wars seem to catch-up with Kenny, and Evander finally hurts his man.
    Two kds later and the fight is over
    Holyfield wko 11 Norton.

    Both men have given their fullest and they embrace with respect in the ring.
     
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
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  8. Smokin Bert

    Smokin Bert Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree this would be a very close contest. Could go either way. Love Fergy's 3 fight analogy above.
     
    Smokin Bert, Jul 26, 2025
    Smokin Bert, Jul 26, 2025
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  9. Pat M

    Pat M Well-Known Member Full Member

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    There is no evidence that Holyfield took anything, he had to pass PED testing in his time and he never tested positive. There was no testing in the 70s, so we have no idea if the fighters were "clean" or not. My guess is they were not (since PED usage was prevalent in athletics at the time), but it can't be proved either way. The guy who was tested and passed the testing should be considered "clean."
     
    Pat M, Jul 26, 2025
    Pat M, Jul 26, 2025
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  10. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes there was. He was having HGH shipped to his house. That is evidence that he was taking it to anyone with the IQ of a house plant.
     
    catchwtboxing, Jul 26, 2025
    catchwtboxing, Jul 26, 2025
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  11. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    If you could hurt Norton you beat him. If you could not seriously hurt him and back him up , Ken was a very very tough and talented guy. Holyfield was a terrific fighter but he struggled with Alex Steward , Michael Moorer and chinney fighters not nearly as good as Norton .. I'd still pick Evander but Ken with his physical strength, natural size and athleticism, terrific , fast , long and underated stunning jab and awkward style could give hell if he was nt at his best ..
     
    he grant, Jul 26, 2025
    he grant, Jul 26, 2025
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  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Thanks Bert :Saeufer:
     
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
    Fergy, Jul 26, 2025
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  13. Gudetama

    Gudetama Active Member Full Member

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    I love both these fighters. But I think Holyfield batters Norton to a referee's stoppage.
     
    Gudetama, Jul 26, 2025
    Gudetama, Jul 26, 2025
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  14. Marvelous_Iron

    Marvelous_Iron Active Member Full Member

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    Holyfield all day, gets the better of Norton when it gets close/inside, Norton didn't have the jab/1-2 distance game on the level of Holmes and would be easier to hurt than Tyson, Holyfield could take it inside of 10
     
    Marvelous_Iron, Jul 26, 2025
    Marvelous_Iron, Jul 26, 2025
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  15. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It would be an entertaining fight for sure …Holyfield’s superior hand speed and combination punching would be the difference…he probably stops Norton late
     
    Bronze Tiger, Jul 26, 2025
    Bronze Tiger, Jul 26, 2025
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