How do you think pre-layoff Ali would have done against Norton?

So I'm assuming prime Ali vs. prime Norton. IMHO: Ali would win this by Unanimous Decision most times, with winning by a late stoppage very possible. In spite of Norton's stylistic advantages, Ali would be outclassing him. That's no knock on Kenny. Prime Ali outclasses the vast majority of all Heavyweights, who ever competed in the sport.

 

Muhammad Ali in 1967 was in peak form, we did not get to see his prime form because he was banished from boxing after the title defense against WBA no.1 contender Zora Folley on March 22 1967, KO 7. Ali was convicted of Draft Evasion, licensed revoked and stripped of his title. The peak Ali would have came into the fight against a prime Ken Norton weighing 212 lbs., he would have started with his footwork, snapping out his left jab, then firing his quick right as Ken came into range. Ali had unending stamina and reflexes back in his peak years, the Rope A Dope was not born yet, Ali's timing was amazing. Norton at times would be able to connect with his chopping right hand. Ali would be Floating Like A Butterfly And Stinging Like A Bee. The bout would have gone 15 rounds, Norton was no slouch. Ali wins it convincingly, unanimous decision. Ali at 25, was miles different from a 31 year old that had his jaw broken by Norton in 1973. Ali as champion from 1964-1967 never tasted the canvas, the last time was on June 18 1963 against Henry Cooper, first fight.

 

Prime Ali's foot speed was completely superior to Ali that fought Norton. Also his reflexes were much sharper.
Norton is very underrated in my opinion, but prime Ali would simply be 2 steps ahead of him.
Norton would have a few moments, but after 10, 12 or 15 rds their would be no doubt in anyone's mind not related to Norton who won.
Ali convincingly beats Norton in his prime, there would be no doubt, he probably stops him if the fights over 10rds.

 

Ali late TKO or even KO.

 

Muhammad wins this by around five points - Would be the Ali of their second bout plus more stamina and workrate in the middle/late rounds. Still a tough one,though. If a prime Ken was added to the nine title defences that Ali made between 1965-67,he would probably be Muhammad's toughest one.

 

Comfortable decision.

 

Uncomfortable comfortable for me.

Norton makes him work, by timing and jabbing with him, as well as body work. Ali proved he could take punishment to the body against Chuvalo so I don't see Norton slowing him down, but I do see Norton making him work. If Ali comes into the fight with a genuine dislike for Norton ala Terrell, I could well see him being somewhat nasty and stinging in there, dancing less and being content to making him miss and then stinging him with the double right hand, double jab right hand flurries.

 

1967 Ali is the closest thing we’ve got to a God in the ring- He was just that good.

 

I don't think Norton would have near as much success jabbing with or going to the body of a much more mobile Ali. I can really see what you are saying if Ali does come in fired up. Absolutely. Stinging is a great word for his punches at that time in that mood.

 

Absolutely - that Ali was hard to time repetitively and missing a few shots and getting countered, especially the right hand over your own jab - make a fighter tense up. The one thing about Ali is that at some point, he will slow down a tad and this is where Norton has to fight his fight. I do see a focused primed Ali swelling Ken's eyes and potentially getting a late TKO if Ali meets him with venom and bad intentions - stinging jab and underrated straight right.

 

Hard to argue. Good to see you posting.

 

The issues Norton gave Ali were how well he timed his jab, and how he was able to partially nullify his cross. He also closed the distance well and made the moments when Ali was tired count. Norton didn't do so well when Ali was moving. Ali in the 60s could float like a butterfly for a lot longer than he could in the 70s, and with the quicker hands, he'd be harder for Norton time. Norton's base style would still give him problems, and so would his smarts and jab - but I think Ali wins clearly here. 8-4, or 9-3. Something like that.

 

You know me - come back, promise to post, family stuff comes up and I watch from the sidelines like Batman in Gotham, waiting for my time to heed the call to rescue the city from the grips of Arkham's Asylum.

My kids have superhero'd me out for life lol.