Jersey Joe Walcott vs Ken Norton

I favor Norton but this is a sick fight.

 

I favor Norton here, much too aggressive, awkward, and strong for Walcott. He'd put the pressure on and take it either to a late knockout or a good, clean decision.
I love both these guys and I think that this would be one for the ages.

 

It's probably poor wording, I emphasized those loses because a lot of the response here pointing out as if those are definitive proof he can beat Norton.

 

It's all good.

You're the man, MVP.

 

I go with Jersey Joe--KO or stoppage in roughly 12 rounds. Walcott would be too cagey and slick for Norton--and he had sneaky punching power as well.

 

Norton faced a very good version of Ali in their 2nd meeting and it was a still a highly competitive fight.

Ali used movement for all 12 rounds and looked reminiscent of his former self in the 60s.

 

They have the same winning percentage in 15 rounders. Both faced excellent competition there

 

Mandingo by late KO.

 

At their very best I’m picking Jersey. Both men took multiple top 5 HWs to the brink. But I think Jersey was better at his peak. Norton’s style happened to fit very well against Ali and Holmes. JJW isn’t the same kind of mover. Think he actually KO’s Ken at some point. 60/40 Walcott

 

I think we did this a while back, but my opinion hasn't changed ... Walcott decisions Norton and has the potential, because of his deep bag of tricks plus he hit pretty hard too, to make him look very foolish and amateurish. Bad, bad, BAD matchup for Norton.

 

Thts true, & considering Ali took him lightly in their first meeting & was all washed up by their third, this is arguably Norton’s career-best showing.

Would you say Ali & Walcott fought similarly though? I wouldn’t.

 

I think Walcott would be a dangerous match up for Norton because he has sneaky counters and hits pretty hard.

I could see Norton winning by TKO in 2nd half of the fight after wearing down Walcott with his pressure, but I could also see Norton walking into a sneaky uppercut from Walcott and not recovering.

 

If Norton boils down to the weight he was in the Ali rematch (205lbs) they’d be a similar weight and he may lose.
Walcott was great with unorthodox leads and he had quick feet to close the distance, Norton would often hold his feet and dip down to his right, leaving himself a sitting duck for lead left hooks and lead left uppercuts. Walcott could move, jab a few times and get Norton on the front foot stalking, then after a few, feint the left jab and when Norton holds his feet and dips down, leap in and time Norton with the left hook or uppercut.
If Norton came in at like 220lbs, he may simply be too big and outwork him though.

 

Norton.