Ali/Norton III - Classic's Thoughts?

Ali kept on the move jabbing the last round, exceprt for the last 30 seconds when Norton pinned him and landed a few overhand rights. I think Ali won the round on the judges cards.

 

I have watched this fight a few times, and I am an Ali fan. But I still struggle to convince myself that he truly won that third fight with Norton. I just feel Norton did more in that fight than Ali and deserved to become heavyweight champion that night in Yankee Stadium. Norton's corner failed him though, by telling him to lay back and coast for the 15th round, because they said he had the fight won. I agree he did, but when you are in there with a legend like Ali you can never take it for granted that the judges are scoring it properly. Ali was possibly the most popular athlete in the world at that time, and when an athlete reaches icon status, he often gets preferential treatment, including from judges.

 

Ali won..... YES! He won.. By a **** hair.... Norton pissed away rd 15.... BAD MISTAKE!!atsch

MR.BILL

 

"Ali-Norton 3" was huge back in 1976, but the event didn't live-up to the hype..... Ali was in great shape at 221 pounds and age 34, yet, his skills were slipping.. Ken Norton looked like an early juicer at a ripped solid 217 1/2 pounds of pure muscle.... STILL! No real blood or knockdowns occurred in ANY of the three fights they fought... The "Broken Jaw" incident was the biggest thing to happen in the friggin' 39 rds they fought.... :blood

MR.BILL

 

Yeah, but I think the rematch was a beauty, though.

 

The three fight series with Joe Frazier is still # 1 in my book..... The three fight series with Kenny Norton is # 2...... And, the two fights with Leon Spink sucked weenie.... Peace..