A peak 73-74 norton beats prime larry holmes

Why not

past prime Norton almost beat a Holmes entering his prime.

Norton parries the Holmes Jab, negating Holmes's best weapon.

He gets inside and works the body

Larry's movement slows and Norton outworks him

Norton by UD

 

Yes, he probably would.

1978 was Holmes' absolute prime. Norton was a few years past his best.

 

Kenny would always give Holmes a hard tough time, as he would the same to Ali. And if a slightly ageing Norton can give Holmes a war, then a younger one could possibly get the win. What ever happens these two would produce a classic.

 

IMO Holmes every time! Had the chin, the jab, and the stature to take Kenny in any year. A 76 s c r a p would have produced a Holmes UD. "Crab boy" would have tasted just as much of Larry's tools. Kenny couldn't stop Larry in a phone booth. A good post, and argument, in this thread but Larry is going to beat Ken at any time 75-78 IMO.
My $0.02...

 

Norton was Ali's vietnam....and if they had met thrice he would have been the same to holmes...a war he couldnt win flat out or by conventional means...against an unknown underrated foe willng to fight in the trenches..using guerilla warfare tactics....it would have to be done by winning hearts and minds...in this case the judges hearts and minds


That would be his best hope as they were for ali.....neother possessed the agent orange that was foremans power

 

Did you read the thread title?

 

The other thing is Norton let go some of the early rounds - his tactics were to start slow and take over when Holmes became tired (which he believed would happen). This backfired as he had not anticipated Holmes excellent stamina and championship fighting heart. Nortons one regret was not going harder earlier he said.

This would be a tight tussle every time and i don't doubt Norton would win his share. Probably a case of the greater fighter struggling with a stylistic nemesis.

 

Probably yes

 

I see a trilogy if both were in their prime. All would be close ones and either man could win the fights. One would probably get 2/3.

 

Norton's style is tailor made to fight men like Holmes, although i think Holmes is overall a better boxer Kenny wins this defintly by a u.d.

 

The problem with that thesis is that Norton did not give Holmes a hell of a fight. Holmes beat Norton six ways from Sunday, and it wasn't even close to close.
Yeah, I know I'm running against the consensus on this, but as I've said before that is the single most misperceived and misrepresented fight I have ever seen, without exception. No other fight I've ever watched stood in such stark contrast to what I was led to expect.

 

agree, always thought Holmes won by about 10-5 in rounds. And, Holmes did have a torn bicep that affected his jab.