Ken Norton (1975) vs. Mike 'Hercules' Weaver (1982) who wins this intriguing matchup?

Ken, for me, was much more active, and employed a more energetic pace, Ken's versatility (When compared to Mike !) whould i suspect Allow him to deal with Mike's infrequent aggressive surges, Ken could work Mike at Range with his better Jab, to accrued points, inbetween the exciting but sporadic Flashpoints, where Weaver may achive Something, but i suspect that Whatever he acheives, Norton would come right back at him to negate any advantage...

Norton would not Deem Mike to be a Foreman-Shavers Level destroyer, therefore would not be "Nervous" as Ken sometimes was with Premier Punchers,

Alternatively, Weaver may reticent to Go all out Against Norton, due to being his former Sparring Partner, Old Habits and all,

I think Ken can Stay Ahead on Points, Cope with Weavers Sparodic Attacks, and Perhaps Counter-attack Weaver, With Vigor, for a Late Stoppage, if not he should have accrued enough point from his Long Range work to win a Clear Decision, Weavers often Pedestrian Work-rate will not do him any Favours against Norton.

 

Obviously, if Norton was on his feet at the end, the decision would be his. However, Weaver carried late round one punch knockout power in both hands, as he showed in his back to back WBA HW Title wins over Tate and Coetzee. Over the 15 round distance, Hercules would catch Mandingo at some point, and once Kenny realized, "This guy can hurt me!," the end would be at hand.

 

the Norton that trashed Quarry had a dead body in front of him, it was like the Ali that lost to Holmes, comepletely shot. Weaver had good power in both hands and a strong jab, I can see Norton causing a mix in the early rounds but Weaver would tag Norton within that mix and KO Ken, Mike could be hit and hurt also, but by the time he won a title he was boxing good enough, Weaver has too much 2 handed power for Ken

 

I'd say Norton has as much of a chance at winning as does Weaver. You're probably looking for a more definite answer. I'd lean in the direction of Norton. He'd probably keep Weaver's fistic bombs at bay for 15 rounds.

The interesting thing about putting Weaver in this is that Norton was capable of getting KO'ed. The championship rounds would be a grueling affair for Norton if Weaver would be able to land with either hand. Weaver was also a very slow starter so Norton would be ahead on points at the time of the championship rounds.

This would have been quite the match up to watch.

 

Mike Weaver was the 80's version of Ken Norton, but I feel he was inferior (though a damn good fighter himself) to Norton. Ken Norton by UD in an exciting affair.

 

Norton edges Weaver.

 

This is an excellent matchup, and I give the edge to the 1975 version of Norton. I say this because Norton was an overall superior boxer and technician than was Weaver. In this bout, Norton would probably dominate the early and middle rounds, with Weaver coming on strong later in the bout. Ken would survive some shaky moments late in the bout in order to emerge as a clear cut decision winner.

There is also the possibility that Norton might have won by knockout early, because Weaver was notorious for being a slow starter. If Ken could catch Weaver cold, he might bomb him out within four rounds. This is very iffy however.

 

very interesting matchup. norton was faster......better technical......just more talented. but weaver was tougher and could end this with one shot.

tough. the odds would be on norton...........but for some reason i think weaver would suddenly catch him, hurt him, follow up and that would be all.

 

Norton out-boxes Weaver.

 

If we were to really take both of these guys at their best, then I'd say its a 1974 Norton who just beat Ali, before he went and got KO'd by Foreman vs Weaver of 1980. Hercules had taken a long leave of abscence from the sport between 1981-82, due to injuries and may never have fully regained his momentum. That said, if it were these versions of Weaver vs Norton, then the legacy fighter which is Norton, might have the edge in terms of being favoured. Stylistically though, this is a dangerous fight for Ken. Weaver was a big puncher in his prime, who wasn't afraid to take multiple shots just to get off one good punch, and Norton has a rather bad track record against guys who could really bang. I'd give the nod to Ken, but wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Hercules launched something deadly leaving Norton on the canvas.

 

Weaver didn't have the best chin either. Unless Weaver lands a bomb, I think Norton wins on points or does enough to get a late round TKO.

Weaver didn't have much defense to him.