Mairis Briedis replaces Jerry Quarry against Ken Norton

Norton

 

I am tempted to favour Breidis since he is an excellent boxer-puncher with good power.

That being said, i am skeptical of Breidis having the same kind of power as Foreman or Shavers. I don't think he hit as hard as those guys. If Breidis really could hit like a Shavers, even the iron jawed Usyk would have been stopped given how many clean right hands Breidis landed on Usyk.

I don't know if Breidis could handle Norton's relentless pressure and body punching. Norton was a brutal body puncher. Lots of powerful hooks etc. Norton has more than enough power to concern Breidis with.

Very tough fight. Norton lasted the distance with Ali x 3 and Holmes and neither guy was a feather fist.

I am going Norton by close UD. I think Norton's tricky crab defense, relentless pressure, exceptional body punching etc. will force Breidis to fight a more cautious and technical fight. Breidis will have some big moments, especially when he lands some of his big booming right hands and right uppercuts. It will be very close and i do think Norton will have to dig deep to win.

Norton by close decision but Breidis is an excellent fighter and i do not have an issue with someone picking Breidis.

 

Briedis is an excellent counter puncher especially with that neat uppercut, he measures well, steps back and counter with precision while retaining balance to generate power.

Norton is susceptible to the uppercut, but I wouldn’t be surprised with either result.

I went with Briedis on the polls for now to even out the scores. The experience of Norton against ATGs could get him the win, but Briedis does have the right tools here.