Joe Frazier Vs Ken Norton

Frazier showed mercy on Bugner otherwise he doesn't see the final bell. When Bugner was melting to the canvas 1 more hook ends it. It almost cost Joe because Bugner wobbled him late in the same round.
I can't picture 68-71 Frazier letting an opponent off the hook that way.

 

Gotta go with Joe by stoppage

 

I can't see Norton avoiding the awesome power in Frazier's left hook, it would stop Norton within 8 rounds, the relentless pressure and will to win, Norton is a good solid fighter, but his style gave Ali trouble, he gets too much credit for this, that's all it was, he did not give him trouble because Norton is an atg, he was a good one with an odd style for some fighters that gave them trouble, like Cooney was bad for him at any point in time.

 

This is something really important to me that I didn't know, thanks so much.

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This is where the fight happens,, Ken Norton has to come forward , he never could fight going backward . Could he back up Smokin Joe Frazier? No. once Ken is stifled he's all target ,Joe by Stoppage

 

THIS.....
Joe had spent 2 years unfocused relatively speaking. His own manager had wanted him to retire . Its fact.
It's not factored in enough to what happened in his fight with BGF.
So who's to say KN wouldn't have a chance .
Frazier didnt looked anywhere near as fit as in the FOTC. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but he looked heavier . I also thought his looked bloated around his face.

 

He was about 10lbs heavier.

 

I would have liked to see Frazier vs Norton in 76-78. In those years I give Norton a better chance. Pre-Manila Frazier is just too tough for Norton.

 

Thanks... quite a difference on a smallish man.
Everything about him looked different , even the way he moved .

 

DOWN GOES... NORTON.

 

Hmm. I actually give Norton a kayo during those years. Joe was a somewhat different and markedly inferior fighter after FOTC, and after Manila he was even worse imo. Norton, on the other hand, made some good wins during that time, including that contentious one over a then-super-hot Jimmy Young. He also gave top three ATG Holmes the fight of his life.

The Joe who fought Foreman II was NOT the same fighter who fought Ali those three times, nowhere near the quality imo. Though I pick the Joe of 1968-1971 to beat the hell out of Ken within 7 rounds, past the Foreman II fight I pick Norton in nine (and probably a stoppage, though I can imagine Frazier going down once or twice).

76-78 Norton was hot, Frazier was NOT. The latter almost never smoked anymore...even the press pointed out the difference after the Foreman II fight.

I love Joe more than Ken (though they're both big favorites of mine), but he couldn't have taken Kenny in that time imo.

 

I think you can take that further by saying Joe was only ever 70% of the fighter after to FOTC. He put up a respectable show against Ali fight 2 and against Bugner , but Bugner was never an aggressive fighter. Joe put up a show in Manilla but that was as much about Ali's regression. Joe and Ali were made to almost cancel one another out.
Joe was a shell of himself when he fought Foreman 2.

 

Here is how Frazier would see it

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Norton was good at neutralizing that fast and elusive boxerslike Ali. He was able to effectively chase them and cut off the ring, so all Frazier needs to do is wait for him to come in and then pound away at him.

 

I think anytime they had fought Frazier wins via KO or TKO, if during Fraziers non interested time period, it just takes longer and a bit tougher for him, styles make fights and Norton was just not the right guy for Ali, and norton would be right for Frazier.

 

1976-8
Norton would certainly win. Joe was a shot fighter.