15 rounds: Floyd Patterson vs. Ken Norton

It would be a very close fight in the early stages. Norton's greater size and strength would eventually lead him to a ko win later on.

 

Tough matchup to call a clear winner. Although some responses in this thread favour Norton having the obvious size and maybe overall strength advantage, I'd be hard pressed to bet against Patterson in this one.

If Floyd isn't scared his handspeed would be the difference here. Floyd just might very well freeze up after seeing how cut and fit a prime Ken Norton was, and lose the fight Sonny Liston style.

Patterson W15, 9 rounds to 6 over Norton.

 

I like Ken.

 

Patterson could have never stayed at light heavy; he was a natural cruiser by today's standards. From the late 50's on he was a natural 187-192er...
Even Sonny couldn't keep him down; he was rising in both fights and Sonny said he had NEVER hit anyone harder than he did Floyd.
I'm not saying that Norton wouldn't perhaps come out with a win but I don't see the lot of the crop of excellent bigger 70's heavies walking thru Patterson, IMO he would have been a top contender had he fought prime in the 70's.
And, make no mistake about it, unless your granite-chin material, that Patterson left-hook landed fairly clean puts Anyone in instant trouble.
I see a Floyd victory; IMO Norton's best chance would be to attempt to settle in for a long night and try to get a sustained body attack going a la his Jimmy Young effort (tho I still had Young winning a close nod in that one) and attempt to wear Floyd down. Then, of course, you might want to get Floyd out of there (if you were able - gotta be a Big puncher) early because
I was just thinking, of all his knockdowns, how many came after, say, the 5th round? Zero???
My $0.02