Defensive master,indeed. i was quite alarmed at how quickly he deteriorated between 1977 and '78. Going from beating Foreman and running Norton to a photofinish in '77 to losing twice to Ossie Ocasio. Do you think it was down to lack of motivation from the disappointment of the Norton decision ?
This fight is great. Young's sauntering around the ring acting the ol' vet and Dokes is trying to chip away the best he can. Watching Dokes double up on his hooks is amazing. Seeing Young deflect shots...well, that never gets old. I heard Young was notorious for having some really tight gym wars where he befuddled his sparring partner a million times over and Benton hated to see him clown around.
Yes. I thought he beat Norton too and that decision just made him sink low the same way Pernell's motivation sunk after he fought De La Hoya.