Holyfield Vs Norton -Traditional 1970s 15 Rounds?

These would be grueling fights, tough fights, close fights. Holyfield lacks the raw power to tap into spots like Foreman, Shavers and Cooney did, with Kenny only being prime for one of those bouts. Norton matches Holyfield for power and has a heckuva overhand right and his left hook wasn't half bad either. Talking of stamina Norton went 15 three times at heavyweight, including one vs the GOAT and one vs the highly regarded Holmes while past his pomp in one of the great heavyweight battles. He's not shying away in the late rounds.

There'd be very little between them in a trilogy IMO.

 

and uppercuts

 

Norton did well against light hitters like Ali Young and the young Holmes. The prime Holmes who was a little heavier and stronger then when he fought Norton would have beaten Norton decisively. The Holyfield that turned back Tyson and stopped him would beat Norton up for a few rounds Kenny hangs on tries to fight back but eventually gets stopped.

 

I think Norton outboxes Holyfield. Though he had an awkward style he was better defensively than Evander. Ken knew how to make his awkward style work for him.
Norton can match Holyfield physically, just as quick, at least as strong, great stamina. Norton was a little smarter and a little sharper.
Holyfield would keep trying to get into Norton even if he is frustrated by Ken's counterpunching. I dont see a knockout but a solid decision for Ken Norton.

 

Norton is all wrong for Holyfield IMO.

He's bigger and stronger, but also got more extension on his jab, so he’d outjab him on the front foot from range, and also would be able to outmuscle him up close.

I’d be concerned about if Holyfield hurt Norton in one of the exchanges though, as Norton wasn’t the best at surviving when hurt, and Holyfield was a good finisher with great punch selection.

Norton would likely win more rounds from a stylistic standpoint, but I can certainly see Holyfield stopping Norton if he hurts him.

 

With uppercuts.

Holyfield decision and he might drop Norton one time.

 

This is in case they keep fighting after the bell, like in the Holyfield vs. Bowe 2 fight. Then Foreman would "explain a few things" to them.

 

While I think heavyeight Holyfield is a bit overrated, I believe Norton is very overrated. I will go with Holyfield by late round accumulation stoppage.

 

X2 excellent observations.

Sure wouldn't want to bet on this one!

 

I agree

 

Oversimplified caveat but if Holyfield doesn’t have the power to get Kenny rocking and reeling via just 2-3 punches, Kenny will bring hell to Evander, just as Norton did to any fighters who didn’t possess the tonnage of a Foreman, Shavers and Cooney.

Say 7.5 to 8/10 on the punch power scale, Kenny was an admirable recipient of same.

However, turn the power notch that little bit higher, say 8 +, Norton was more likely to suddenly fall off a cliff.

It would actually be a great fight imo and somewhat of a coin toss.

 

My only issue with this fight that on paper does look quite even don't get me wrong.

But once Norton gets hurt he stays hurt.

I know normally it took a big puncher to unravel Norton.

But Holyfield does have underrated power IMO and he could maybe find holes in Norton's cross arm defence with uppercuts.

Holyfield was the first fighter to drop Mercer and Bowe both fighters were noted for having good chins especially Mercer.

So whilst we could expect a distance fight that would be good close.

It does give me some pause that if Holyfield did get going with his offence. You know how vicious Holyfield can be when he gets buzzed and then wants to comeback.

If Norton does get hurt would he unravel ? Since he had poor recuperative powers ?

And I think Holyfield is a better inside fighter than Holmes, Ali, who are more outboxers.

So Holyfield would be sitting down on his punches a bit more.