If Ali had faced Norton in manila instead of Frazier, would the out come have been different?. Frazier, despite his health problems at the time and a fading ex champ, was still able to push Ali to the limit. But Norton was still good enough to take Holmes to a split decision three years later. Yes, Ali had won a unanimous over Ken in 76 but would the condition s in manila have favoured Norton here. Would Ali have been the one to wilt against the younger man in the heat of the ring? Or does Muhammad pull through and get the win again?
Ali was in incredible condition for Frazier in 75. Ali was never the same after this bout as Frazier came close to winning and gave Ali a huge battering. It was this Ali who faced Norton in 76. He beats Norton in a close bout.
IMO Ali is the greatest HW of all time for reasons I've already mentioned. He beat Ali in Yankee Stadium in 76; just look at Ali's face/demeanor at the final bell! At the time Ali, in his second career, was playing the: Let me win my rubber matches to cement my legacy. Norton may have gotten him in Manila but...not in Ali's plan.
The bout in 76 was razor close. A panel of boxing experts a few weeks after this bout took place scored the fight round after round. A compilation of all scorecards revealed A DRAW. A very close fight also revealed by the scorecards. The Ali who fought Norton in 76 was damaged goods from the beating Frazier gave him in 75. Ali was a better fighter in 75 and would have beaten Norton.