It would have been just like the version of Ali that actually did fight Norton,..in fact, Norton may have even had a clear cut win,
Ali in his prime could move around longer without getting tired and having to lay on the ropes. And he had better timing. I think prime Ali wins a comfortable decision against prime Norton. In the 70s, I think Ali used the wrong strategy against Norton in all three fights. Ali could dance around for about 6 rounds before becoming exhausted and having to lay on the ropes to rest. That's when Norton would turn it up on his ass. Ali basically just wasted a lot of energy dancing around and he wasn't able to land the jab well. I think he should have kept in the middle of the ring. Ali still had enough hand speed and reflexes, and he was able to land the right hand on Norton. Ali should have put his chin on the line against Norton's in the middle of the ring, and I think Norton's would have cracked first. Instead he wasted a lot of energy without really hurting Norton and then had to deal with Norton's assault.
You for real ? A clear cut win for norton? Not an easy night by no means but i have Ali winning a clear (ironically) UD
IMO it would likely look like the first 6 rounds of the rematch, which were dominating for ali. rusak said it pretty damn well. With his legs and conditioning intact, ali could avoid many of the pitfalls the older version couldnt. 12-3 type decision for ali
The 63 version of Ali would have been knocked out... But then I read your post and you said prime Ali and not just any 60s version of Ali.
Norton still wins, he was better than anyone Ali fought in that era, and style match up still fit him. Ali in later years was stronger, Norton might actually have easier time.
Why are we doing this for 10,000,000th time??? especially when we already know that Ali is not allowed to lose on ESB, even if he did in real life. For those new to the forum, one of our bylaws is. "Ali, SRR, RJJ & Duran" must win all hypotheticals even if they lost in real life "Floyd Patterson" is not allowed to win any hypothetical unless his opponent is a WW or smaller. Abusing any of these rules carries a 2 week ban from the forum on first offense...no one has ever broken this rule twice for me to guess what futher violations hold?
Use their second fight for reference. It would be very similar. Only difference being that Ali would win a few more rounds on the cards. Ali by unanimous decision. Maybe 9 - 6 in rounds.
Throughout his career, Ali had certain habits. He jabbed with his right hand splayed out. Norton jabbed when Ali jabbed; his jab landed and backed Ali up. This would have always happened. Ali is sooooo hysterically overrated.
Norton was bigger, stronger and more capable than any of the guys Ali fought in his first go-round as champion...and Ali wasn't as strong or savvy as he was later in the 70's.