Ken Norton against Joe Frazier's opposition

Loses to FOTC Ali (quite possibly a TKO, not sure Norton could take the shellshacking Ali laid out on Frazier). A young Quarry..... hmmmm I think I'd narrowly favor the Quarry who fought Frazier in their first fight over Norton. Norton beats Ellis (styles advantage). A 12 fight Norton would also lose to Bonavena considering he lost to Garcia (admittedly unfairly) several fights later.

So Norton imo would rack up an extra 4 losses.

 

Norton lost to Garcia unfairly?

 

https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news/81825917/

 

So according to Norton's trainer it was unfair. Ok... The referee, the ringside doctor, and the commission all disagreed with Norton's trainer and said it was fair but we'll just ignore them in favor of a biased opinion.

 

Seems to have been confirmed by an LA Times staff writer, at the time...


The Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles, California
Fri, Jul 3, 1970
Page 34

Norton's String Ended by Garcia;
Martinez Knocks Out Brice in 10 (EXCERPT)

BY DAN HAFNER Times Staff Writer

"

This content is protected

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...Make of that what you will.

 

Best of Norton vs FOTC Ali would be a superb fight.

 

I think he would fair pretty well but one under the radar guy that could trouble Norton is Buster Mathis. Buster was a big heavyweight for the time that had a deep amateur pedigree. He only lost lost to Frazier, Ali, a prime Quarry and Ron Lyle when he was past his prime. Four losses with two to hall of famers and two legit top contenders in counterounching Quarry and the hard hitting Lyle.

 

And, again, the referees decision was supported by both the ringside doctor and the commission. Eddie's complaint was rejected. The article you mentioned also called Norton inept and inexperienced and said that he kept his left down around his knees, didnt know how to use his right and was dropped three times and buzzed several more.

Futch thought it was unfair but Norton was finished and had they DQd Garcia, who was beating the crap out of Norton and leading on all three cards, THAT would have been unfair.

The Long Beach Press said the punch landed at the same time as the bell.

The Los Angeles Herald called the loss convincing and said that Norton "wastes immense physical talent with amateurish moves. He cant block or take a punch."

The Herald also went into much more detail about the end of the fight stating that Norton was knocked down with two seconds to go in the round. In California at the time a fighter couldnt be saved by the bell. So the referee counted over Norton. Norton rose at seven and the referee waved the fighters together. Garcia landed two punches but nobody heard the bell sound ending the round. As Norton was sent back to his corner he collapsed on the way. Eddie Futch complained but the referee said he was going to stop the fight anyway so its a moot point.

The bottom line is Norton was getting beaten six ways from Sunday.

 

I was responding specifically to your implication that Futch's "biased opinion" was the only view that perceived foul play. At least one other person reported punches being thrown "after the bell sounded" and an "illegal blow".

Clearly Futch is not an entirely lone voice on this matter, is he?

And, anyway, controversy aside, who cares - really? A prospect came in under-prepared and paid the price.

Like, that's never happened before.

 

But it wasnt the "illegal blow" that ended the fight. Thats the point. To say Norton "unfairly lost" that fight is overreaching. Nowhere in the article you posted, or any article Ive seen, does anyone but Futch allege that the fights outcome should have been different.

 

I'd be curious to see how Norton handles a fast-handed powerpuncher like Doug Jones (especially if he were in his 14th fight, like Joe was). Maybe he'd be too big/strong for Jones, but maybe Jones could get inside & do some damage?

 

Yeah. That must have been what the reporter meant when he stated: "...but the blow that really finished him came after the bell sounded".

 

Sounds about right.

I assume you believe that a more mature Norton might take the 'W' against Bonavena in a rematch (a la Frazier/Bonavena II)?

 

Correct. I just think he'd be far to green with a mere 12 fights. He was moved up a lot slower than Frazier.