A Joe Louis Title Challenger, That Beats Kenny Norton?

His big brother was a much harder puncher.

 

I watched it live, too. It wasn't on the CBS Sports Spectacular. That was an afternoon show. It was on ABC in prime time. (Quarry-Zanon was on the undercard.) Howard Cosell called the fight. I watched it with my dad and several uncles at a bar. (I was 13). A friend of my dad who went to school with Ken Norton in Jacksonville, Illinois, was there. So he spent the whole fight yelling every time Ken landed anything. He thought Norton won every round. I remember how "shocked" he was the judges had it close (LOL).

I have the fight but have never sat down and scored it. Any time I see clips of it, I hear that idiot in my head yelling. (LOL)

 

Ken Norton probably beats everyone Louis defended against, except for possibly Walcott. I could see that being a tough fight.

Had Joe Louis made his first defense against a 28-year-old Larry Holmes (who Norton fought) instead of Tommy Farr, Louis could very well have lost in his first defense, too. Like Norton.

 

Thanks my friend, you are right, I got the two mixed up, Valdez vs Briscoe was on The CBS Sports Spectacular that day for the vacant World Middleweight Title. Howard Cosell was something else. Lol.

 

Don't worry about it. Too many fights mulling around in there to always remember what channel they were on. (LOL)

 

Yeah, I do remember the good old days of free television, I am sure you do too.

 

Possibly not that much in it, in terms of pure one shot power.

 

I do remember Muhammad Ali cheering for Jimmy Young, he said he was tired of fighting Ken Norton.

 

Joe Louis's most dangerous title challenger was time.

Bear in mind that the Garcia fight, and the Cooney fight, would both fit inside Louis's title reign!

 

I think a few could beat Norton. Notably Schmeling. Pastor would be a good match as would Farr. Nathan Mann would be a fun fight.

 

Have to rewatch it .. I remember feeling Norton beat him but have read many conflicting opinions through the years .. worth another watch but also remember it being not so exciting a fight ..

 

ok so maybe he doesn’t fare as well. Good point. But Louis was super aggressive and the best puncher the division Has seen. He took advantage of fact Max was slow starter. I still think Max could be competitive with Norton.

 

I disagree. I don't deny Buddy had any power to his punch, but Max's was on another level.