For the longest time I've had the wrong perception of Terry Norris but for the past 3 months my viewpoint on the man has changed drastically through watching his clips on youtube and last week I got his complete career set on DVD's from a good friend of mine who use to post here by the name of Smoochp. I have always known that Terry Norris was a fantastic fighter but like many other people I defined him by his punch resistance issues. Everytime I saw a thread involving Norris in a head to head matchup against a great fighter with power I would always never side with Norris because of what I saw in the first Simon Brown fight. For the past couple of days I have watched nothing but Terry Norris fights and believe it or not I think he is the greatest offensive fighter I have ever seened before. I love his masterpiece performance in the Simon Brown rematch and his 12 round schooling of Paul Vaden or his 1 round destruction of John Mugabi. It seems like every fight of his I have watched so far has been entertaining and packed with superb skills. Getting back to his head to head status historically, I would now favor him over the likes of Trinidad, Vargas,De La Hoya, Mosley,Winky all at 154. I know that may be controvertial to some but it's my honest assement of him. I love the guy as a fighter and his offense is truly amazing.
I think his chin would let him down against Trinidad. Conceivably he could fight a perfect boxing fight and beat Tito but his tendency to exchange, ocassional mental lapses on defense, and dubious chin would do him in IMO. I'd make him the favorite over the other guys at 154. He's a tough fighter to predict in mythical matchups due to his dubious chin. Of course he could end up losing by fouling as he often did. I love watching Norris's combinations. Very crisp and fluid. I'd say my favorite fight of his is probably the Carl Daniels fight.
I think Norris gets a little underrated because of the questionable chin. I think Norris would beat Trinidad to the punch, and keep Trinidad in his waiting to pounce stance all fight long. I would pick him over Vargas, and not bat an eye in doing so. I'll side with you on De la Hoya, Mosley, and Wright as well. I rate Norris my 3rd best ever at 154. Julian Jackson rate above for stopping Norris, and Mike McCallum #1 for stopping Jackson.
I really like Terry back in the day. However, he would have most likely lost the Julio Cesar Vazquez. A very, very bad match-up for him.
It hurts me to pick him over Tito because Tito is my all time favorite fighter but I do have to call it as I see it.
Norris was a brilliant fighter whose speed,skills and sharp punching make him a very,very dangerous match up for anyone when he's in control. But he had a bad habit of letting his emotions get the better of him in the ring and it cost him on numerous occasions.Witness the 2 Santana DQ's,the Water's near disaster,and the debacle against Simon Brown.He had no business even struggling against these guy's but he fought dumb and lost and nearly lost fights he never should've. Lapses like these against someone like De La Hoya or Trinidad could very well see Norris get KTFO.That said on his best night he's a big chance against both men as well.
I think his footwork was as much of a failing as his chin. He was a reverse Zoolander: he had a problem with turning right. I think he could have beaten Julian Jackson if he hadn't been continually tying himself up with his own feet. However, Norris had a terrific combination of speed, skill and power. His weaknesses shouldn't outshine his considerable strengths.
Norris didn't like stout hitters which JCV very much was, and determined to boot. Terry also had a fighting heart and like to mix it up. That would be a bad recipe for him. This fight was on the table but avoided by one party.
Norris was a great fighter, but age slowed him down and ruined his chin. I was a little disappointed when he completely outclassed Paul Vaden, after Vaden's dramatic 12 round ko win over Vincent Pettway. Pettway was coming off a vicious knockout of Simon Brown who was knocked out laying on his back throwing punches into the air unconscious. Vaden talked so much smack before the Norris fight and then didnt show up. I really thought stylistically it would be a really good fight. Its like Vaden was satisfied winning the title, and just let Norris dictate the entire fight. :huh Interesting group of solid fighters that faced each other which filled in the void of a significant heavyweight champion. Don King put on some great fight cards, with Randall Chavez, Norris Brown, Nelson Leija and Mclellan Jackson. I think every favored fighter lost the first time around so King put together the "Revenge the Rematches" card which had the exact same fights.
I've believed this for a long time, on the top of his game Norris is an amazing fighter, he beats all of those, would have beat Vasquez and Whitaker too
I watched almost all of Terry's fights when he was in his prime..he beats Vasquez in my opinion.. Vazquez's power was not the best in my opinion ...Terry had speed and the ability to befuddle an opponent...no way that the Argentinian beats Norris... I think Terry beats Oscar and Trinidad for sure if he has the respect of Tito and boxes him
Trinidad has never done well against the best boxers hes faced. Plus Tito was ready to go against Vargas and had to foul out to get himself out of jail. Norris may well finnish Tito, he will have an easier time landing, is the better boxer and clearly proven as a puncher at the weight
god vaden was incredible. really like his style tall but good inside fighter and amazing handspeed. talking about norris and vaden pre-talks...anyone remember vaden rapping i remember a line going something like this. hit you so hard i'll break my hands/ this division is mine not yours little man/ poet laurette dunno why he had no belief to fight. good performance by norris, he did everythign right..but sadly was dancing solo