Ken Norton v Tony Galento

I could agree with that logic, EXCEPT Norton's superior skill has completely unraveled and become useless when hit hard. Watching him try to block a punch from Shavers by reaching out both hands at the same time is pathetic.

Based on that, even if Galento isn't an outright favorite, I'd have to say he'd have at least a fair shot at Norton.

 

Norton's best performances were probably the one you posted, plus this fight here against Randy Stephens:
[yt]JQUsBid3TeQ[/yt]

As Conn said, Galento's best fights may not actually be on film, but the Ettore fight that Vic posted is probably the best that is actually on film.

 

King Kenny by WIDE-ASS UD. :bbb

 

Ok, even in in the Al Ettore fight, Galento still shows nothing to me that Norton couldn't handle.

[YT]L4BiBTavaHg[/YT]

Galento has little to no set up, frequently lunges forward too much and ends up in a clinch, and he telegraphs his punches.

The main way he beat the crap out of Ettore because he was able to push him around keep hitting Ettore as Ettore was off balance. He would not be able to do this against Norton, Norton could and probably would back Galento up and he'd be hitting him with crisp jabs, crosses, left hooks, and over hand rights. Galento's defense was not good enough to block and slip Norton's punches, and Galento wouldn't be able to back Norton up to keep him off balance.

Again, I'm just not seeing what some of you are seeing with Galento beating Norton.

Norton never would have gotten as far as he did if his chin was as bad as it's made out to be.

 

Not only that but his feet left the ground when he punched, and he frequently smothered his own work by getting too close. Not to mention all the straight backed chin in the air arm punching. Just really amateurish stuff that you wouldn't even see in a journeyman nowadays.

 

I agree. I think people are putting too much weight into the fact that Norton was KTFO by Foreman, Shavers, and Cooney. Those 3 are very arguably the 3 hardest punchers ever at heavyweight and Norton took big shots from all 3 of them. Those 3 overwhelmed Ken with extreme pressure, set up punches, and completely neutralizing Ken's offense with their own offense.

I don't see Galento doing this Norton. I see Norton busting Galento up with stiff jabs and letting his hands go as Tony comes rushing at him. It's not like Galento would be using intelligent pressure, he'd do as he always did, swing wildly and end up getting too close to do anything. I don't see him tagging Norton hard enough or with enough punches to take Ken out either. It took a lot of punishment from Foreman, Shavers, and Cooney to take Ken out. He was hit with punches that would've knocked most out. I don't see any shame being knocked out against those 3, especially because he wasn't at his best for 2 of the 3 (even though he probably would've lost to them anyway).

 

I think somebody just stated it perfectly.

A punchers chance is not something to bet on. Give me the better fighter all day any day.

He wasn't so fragile that the punchers chance evolves into what my Dad called "The Punchers Inevitability". Shavers, Foreman, and Cooney hit harder than Galento did, and carried a very powerful forward moving brute force sort of style that Galento wouldn't be able to replicate against the stronger, larger Norton.

I might be wrong, and I acknowledge that the chance exists that he just gets clipped and sparked. But Tony should not be the favorite here.

Power is the most overrated asset in all of boxing. So many guys had a ton of it that you've never heard of. The reason you've never heard of them is they got the tar kicked out of them regularly. Its gonna take more than power on one side and a fragile chin on the other to get me to bet against the better man.

 

Bills post + Magna's response = thread

 

Galento belonged to the seriously tough fratenity and could give and take a beating, because his build was odd so to speak, don't think he was unfit, he would go with Norton all the way looking for the hook, but somehow, I go with Ken to win on points.

 

If Shavers and Galento mixed it up, again, with two sluggers of limited ability, I'm betting on the guy that take as much as he can dish out. Shavers is going to do what Baer Brothers, Nova, and Louis combinations couldn't and stop Galento cold? Nah...

Again, Norton isn't going to outbox Galento. He was horrible off the backfoot and a terrible catcher, Galento would murder him if he tried that. His best chance is to swarm him, but I think he would get stopped first in a brawl.

 

Here is how I see....

If I had to bet the mortgage on this fight.. I choose Norton easily...

If I was at a party and just wanted to make a 10 dollar bet, just to bet, I just Galento

 

If Norton boxes Tony and utilizes his very good jab then he shouldn't have a tough time winning. If....and I admit it's a big "If"...Tony can Get Ken to brawl with him, he has a chance. Again it's not a big window of opportunity but it is there nevertheless. Before Galento let himself truly get fat, he was built like a fire hydrant and about as tough as one. Plus stamina didn't seem to be an issue with him nor was fear....of anyone and Norton would be no exception. Galento would launch himself at Norton looking to land the big one...or two that could turn the tide. He might catch Ken with a surprisingly quick and powerful hook. Things could get interesting then...for a few moments anyway. I still favor Norton as he was the bigger more polished fighter and should keep Galento at bay with his underrated jab and crunching overhand right until the ref stops it. But I wouldn't completely dismiss Galento's chances either. The bum could punch and was a very good brawler...as strange as that may sound so I'd give him a chance in this one....albeit a small chance....Norton by TKO.

 

Depends on when and where this fight is being held
If it were held in Tony's time in Jersey i'd put absolutley everything i own on Tony winning.
If it were modern times probably Norton, due to Galento getting DQ'd, there's no way he'd get away with even half of the stuff he did in the ring.

 

Yeah but Tony was more than a big punch he had a ton of heart, a granite chin, enough stamina to go into the championship rounds when he got in shape, knew how to intimidate and rough an opponent up and a very awkward, unique style that perhaps Norton won't be able to adapt to. Galento has delt with taller guys who were much more skilled practically his entire boxing career, how many guys like Galento has Norton faced? Just some points to consider.