(1973) — Joe Frazier vs Kenny Norton

It would be all the way live for 5, 6 rounds. Afterwards, Joe starts to take Ken apart, stopping him anywhere from 11th to 13th rounds. Would be one of Joe's toughest fights.

 

Farzier slowed down by 1973 and never beat a puncher on Norton's level. Using Ali as the benchmark he hurt Frazier more than he hurt Norton. I like Norton here. Key is by 1973.

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Norton UD, Frazier had slowed down and imo wouldn't be able to catch Norton, Frazier might hurt and even drop Norton in the late rounds but it would've been too late.

Prime for prime Frazier KOs Norton in 7, though.

 

I mentioned this in another thread, but can someone clarify this ?

I heard Norton used to get the better of Frazier in sparring is that true ?

As for the actual fight, Frazier is a slow starter. So Norton who maybe was a tad vulnerable in the early rounds vs punchers. Wouldn't have to worry about that vs Frazier as it takes time for Fraizer to get "Smokin".

I like Norton by decision here, I think hes strong enough physically to go head to head with Frazier.

 

I'm feeling this. Norton was peaked in 73, Joe was a bit past it due to the FOTC.

 

Norton in '73 as Joe had got some wear and tear at that point and Norton was starting to peak. but prime for prime Joe mid to late stoppage.

 

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Sparring footage funnily enough Norton has a bit of different style here, he's not using his famed cross arm defence.

 

In 1973 it's Ken Norton. Eddie Futch said Frazier alway handled Norton in the gym until they were in Jamaica when Joe was preparing for George Foreman. Futch put Kenny on vacation immediately. Norton stated Joe seemed to have lost his drive.
Frazier after losing the title did get some of his old hunger and desire back as he looked better vs Bugner, Quarry and later in Manila. So it's hard to say who would have won in 1974 or 75 but in 1973 Norton should win.

 

He may have hurt Frazier more than he hurt Norton but that's only because Norton had a style that somewhat neutralized Ali's jab. Frazier also hurt Ali far more than Norton did and beat him more decisively in his win. I can't recall Norton ever hurting Ali badly.

 

Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Manual Ramos all hit as least as hard as Ken Norton. Norton and Ali had tactical chessmatches that Kenny got the best of. So yea he wasnt hurt as much by Ali because Ali couldnt hit him consistently. Norton was a fine defensive heavyweight. Norton also didn't put the hurt on Ali anywhere near the way Frazier did. Kinda goes both ways, two different types of fighters.

 

Watch the first fight. Ali was hurting and Norton was close to stopping him. If that one was 15 rounds Norton might have l knocked him out.

 

Norton by points. Ken had more versatility. Frazier was a one armed fighter.

 

I believe this is an accurate assessment. By 1973 Joe was showing the effects of the mileage he had accumulated along with losing interest/drive. 1973 was the year Norton came into his own. He had his best victory just after Joe had his worst defeat. Joe's weight was almost a career high in the Foreman fight and he did improve on that in the next couple of years. Good points about '74 and '75.

 

Bumpy.