Is Ken Norton a Top 20 ATG Heavyweight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ironchamp, Jan 21, 2011.


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  1. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I rate him in the top 20. He could have beaten quite a few linear champions of the past.
     
    Stevie G, Jan 22, 2011
    Stevie G, Jan 22, 2011
    #31
  2. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Ridiculous post. He likely beat Ali three out of three. He easily could have had a draw against a prime Holmes. He beat a prime Jimmy Young. How's that?
     
    he grant, Jan 22, 2011
    he grant, Jan 22, 2011
    #32
  3. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    Top 20.
     
    Kalasinn, Jan 22, 2011
    Kalasinn, Jan 22, 2011
    #33
  4. techks

    techks ATG list Killah! Full Member

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    Maybe. I would rate Jimmy Young over Norton if those misfortunate events/decisions didn't plague his career(Ali, Shavers 2,Cut in Cooney fight). Even then Young has a solid win over a prime or close to prime Foreman and two clear wins over a good but not great Lyle though that's not enough to rank him over Norton. I think history looks highly on Norton because of the era he fought in but I'm not sure if he deserves to be an ATG. He just lacks something but I can't describe what that "thing" is. I can see why people would have him as an ATG but I'm iffy on calling him one. I'm surprised to see that people aren't strict. I will say that Norton was very competitive in the toughest era so that has to count for something.
     
    techks, Jan 22, 2011
    techks, Jan 22, 2011
    #34
  5. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Bowe

    Holyfield 2x
    Coetzer
    Donald
    Dokes
    Hide
    Gonzalez
    Golota 2x*
    Seldon

    Not that far off from Norton IMO and here's the thing, Bowe was actually undisputed by winning the title in the ring. That counts for a lot.
     
    ironchamp, Jan 22, 2011
    ironchamp, Jan 22, 2011
    #35
  6. Boucher

    Boucher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Definitely not for me.
     
    Boucher, Jan 22, 2011
    Boucher, Jan 22, 2011
    #36
  7. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I can easily imagine a scenario where Tyson just cuts through like a hot knife in butter in certain eras but we rate him on what he did with his. Same with Lewis, Liston, Patterson and Foreman.

    I can't find a place for him in the top 20 anymore especially since Wlad has been on his run. Sadly Kenny has been replaced for me.

    He's a great fighter but not a great champion nor was the era he fought in under his dominance.
     
    ironchamp, Jan 22, 2011
    ironchamp, Jan 22, 2011
    #37
  8. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I don't rate Norton among the top 20 of all-time.
    I don't rate Ali as high as most here do though.
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 22, 2011
    Unforgiven, Jan 22, 2011
    #38
  9. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think a stronger case can be made for Patterson over Norton

    Patterson won the title, defended it lost it and won it again making him the first man to ever regain the Heavyweight Title. He was credited at one point of being the youngest man to win the title. As much as i acknowledge that Norton may have been screwed out of the third fight with Ali which would have boosted his rankings but Patterson if given the same distinction would also have 2 wins over Quarry and a win over Ellis adding significant depth to his resume.

    But we can't recalibrate history so I'm going based on what happened.

    Johansson 2x
    Bonevena
    Chuvalo
    Machen
    Moore
    Daniels
     
    ironchamp, Jan 22, 2011
    ironchamp, Jan 22, 2011
    #39
  10. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    Plus, he only has one official loss and although Golota thrashed him, that's a lot different than getting stopped by Garcia or in 30 seconds by Cooney & Shavers.

    I don't think that highly of Bowe, but I think he should rank higher than Norton on first sight. Might have to look deeper into it because Bowe's win resume is quite a bit shallow (not unlike Norton's).
     
    ChrisPontius, Jan 22, 2011
    ChrisPontius, Jan 22, 2011
    #40
  11. guilalah

    guilalah Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I think probably top 30, maybe top 25.
     
    guilalah, Jan 22, 2011
    guilalah, Jan 22, 2011
    #41
  12. sportofkings

    sportofkings Boxing Junkie banned

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    Jerry quarry deserves to be higher up in the list than Norton imho
     
    sportofkings, Jan 22, 2011
    sportofkings, Jan 22, 2011
    #42
  13. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    he could have beaten these
    dempsey
    jeffries
     
    turpinr, Jan 22, 2011
    turpinr, Jan 22, 2011
    #43
  14. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    :good
    :good
     
    turpinr, Jan 22, 2011
    turpinr, Jan 22, 2011
    #44
  15. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    you rate jeffries too.:lol::lol::lol:
     
    turpinr, Jan 22, 2011
    turpinr, Jan 22, 2011
    #45
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