IF NORTON HAD...?

He would have lost soon after. Most likely a Foreman rematch in 76. DKP had Shavers and both he and Lyle were always after a bout with Kenny.

The Young bout never happens. The Bobick fight does not happen.

 

I think if mean that he has 3 title defenses against Bobick, Zanon, and Young, thrown in there as well. If the Holmes fight was a draw, I think there would be a rematch which Holmes get in another close contest. I think Ken having a decent title reign retires, unless there is a rubber match with Holmes which he loses by a wider decision then permamantly retires.
If things worked out that way he's a top 10 all time heavyweight. He beats Ali 2 out of 3, only gets blown out of Foreman, an ATG puncher, avenged his other ko loss against Garcia, and never fights Shavers, Ledoux, or Norton.

 

typo I meant Cooney.

 

Ken never would have fought Shavers. The only reason was he had to beat Shavers to get another shot at Holmes. I agree too, that after losing to Holmes in a rematch he retires unless he gets a rubbermatch, or a 4th Ali fight, but if Ali lost to Norton in 76, I think we would have seen the end of Ali then. Ali still might have come out of retirement for a shot at Holmes and gotten beaten badly.

 

On the flip side of that coin maybe Ali retires in '76. Doesn't take beatings from Shavers, Spinks, and later Holmes and Berbick. He could have lived and been healthier.

 

Im sure Norton won the fight in Yankee Stadium. I consider that a win on his resume.
The Holmes fight I scored for Kenny close. It could've went either way.

 

My thoughts exactly. If he avoided getting destroyed by shavers and Cooney and won ali 3 and Holmes he'd have a hell of a resume. People might have rated him #1 or #2 of that decade and a top 10 HW for sure.

 

About where he is ranked now .As far as I'm concerned.

 

Thank you young man!