Evander Holyfield .Vs. Ken Norton

Tough one to call. Would be a great fight, though. This is one fight where Holyfield's brawling instincts might serve him well. Since both Holmes and Ali, who were better boxers than Holy IMO, had terrible trouble with Norton, so I don't know if Holyfield would be succesful if he tried to box and move.

 

Man what a tough bout ... I like Norton and feel he is greatly under rated by most today however Holyfield was so tough ... a very tough call in a great match up .... Maybe Norton by a razor thin decision .... definetely a series that would be split over ten fights 6 -4 ...

 

Norton did very well against the greatest of boxers, but failed horribly against the greatest of punchers.

Evander, though well balanced, was neither..

So who do we pick?

I have no idea....

 

I agree. Norton is under rated these days. If the judges were fair, he's 2-1 vs Ali. Then he’s a boxing legand, but as the record tells it, Norton is 1-2 vs Ali. Norton had a solid career outside of the Ali fights. He lost a close decision to a prime Larry Holmes, won a close decision over Young near his best, waxed an un-defeated Bobbick, defeated a past his prime, but sharp Quarry, and also holds wins over Kirkman, Garcia, and an un-defeated Tex Cobb.

When people think of Norton, they think of his jab, and build. He also had a wicked body attack, a crab like defense, and could combo.

Norton's weakness was durability and confidence vs BIG punchers.

I could see Norton vs Holyfield going either way. If a boxing match broke out, I'd go with Norton. If a brawl broke out, I'd go with Holyfield.

Best guess is Holyfield wins, but if they fought three times, I think Norton wins one.

 

We never saw Holyfield in there for 15 against a heavyweight.

Be interesting to see how it would play out.

 

I'll take Norton. Split decision.

 

Good matchup! I like Holyfield. I think the fact that not only could he rattle of 5 or 6 punch combos, but the fact that he'll go to war if need be. Yeah, I like Holyfield in this one.

 

I like Holyfield in this one. I think he was a better combination puncher and also threw straighter punches and in doing so also left himself open less than Norton. I just think he'd be first and be more consistent with his attack. Holyfield by close decision.

 

There's some crazytalk in here! 'Vander was levels above the tough but limited Norton, this one is a no - brainer :good

 

Hello Mr. Magoo,

Do you not feel Holy is worthy of the moniker 'boxer-puncher'? :think

 

I think this is a great fight! Holy doesn`t have the concussive power of a Foreman or Shavers. So I think this one turns into a barn-burner! They match up well physically, Norton a bit taller at 6`3``, and a little heavier. he fought out of that crouch though. And that crab-like defense of his, would make Holy`s jab not much of a factor. Norton`s style took Ali`s jab away. This is a split decision fight, goes either way. I think it depends on which fighter has their A game that night. Gun to my head I say Holy. He throws a ton of combos, I just think he could outhustle Norton at the end. Norton could get outhustled in the latter rds. Ali did it in the 2nd and 3rd fights. Holmes did it in their title fight. That being said Norton had the physical equipment and the style to give Holy BIG problems...

 

I disagree that this is a no-brainer

While Holy certainly had an in-fighting style, and level of toughness that could definately trouble or beat Norton, Ken was very well conditioned, and handled boxers or even boxer-punchers very well. Additionally, Ken spent his whole career fighting at heavyweight and boxed the 15 round distance on a few occasions against all time greats in their primes.

Although Norton suffered knockouts early at the hands of a few punchers, I highly doubt that Holyfield's punching ability ( neither on a power basis, nor composite level ), was as devastating as Foreman or SHavers. Also bear in mind, that Shavers and Cooney fought Norton when he was well past his best, while Foreman was at his peak and had just dusted Frazier in two.

I do not think that Ken could knockout Holy, and while Holy might score a late TKO, its still unlikley. My guess, is this one goes to the scorecards, but the winner is not easily decided. Most of the work would be done on the inside, and there would be a lot of holding, head butting, and short range punches.

At first glance, Holy takes a close decision, but in a match that is equally fitted as this one is, the opposite could certainly be the case......

Who the better legacy fighter is, is irrelovant....Styles make fights.........

 

If they fought four times, they'd probably win two each. Goes to the scorecards in all of 'em.

 

I have to take Evander, going against the grain somewhat. Yes Norton was good - very good - but Evander was better.

Evander's power is being sold short, I feel. He could hit, and what's more is that his timing was excellent. He didn't have the heaviest hands granted, but he was a sharp puncher who punched in combination. Bowe often stated that Holyfield hit harder than people think, and he should know.
No, Holyfield didn't take you out with one big bomb, but he'd steadily wear you down with an accumulation of hard, accurate punches.

Whether he boxes or brawls (or both) I don't think Norton is going to get the better of Holyfield. Holyfield had good boxing skills and knew how to win a fight on points. He'd prefer to brawl, and if Kenny obliges I think Evander would stop him late on.