Ken norton vs evander holyfield

Holyfield. He'd be too busy and too quick. Much better combination puncher. Norton'd be too ponderous and too slow!

 

Holyfield

 

Norton beat Ali because of his style and Ali's decline not speed.

 

a pretty good fight, and my first inclination is to go with Holyfield, due to him being busier inside. But I've thought about that and now I think that Norton would win. That may be because Norton was my favorite HW during the 70s...
Norton was a solid boxer if he wasn't afraid of your punching power; he gave Ali and Holmes hell and I think they were both, overall, better than Holyfield. But Evander fought different than Ali or Holmes; he liked to get in and fight. And I think Norton would fight him. It was almost impossible to miss Holyfield with a jab, and he ate right uppercuts like candy. Norton had a good jab and a very effective right uppercut.
Holyfield lost twice to Bowe, and Bowe was not as good as Norton.

 

Bowe would have stopped Norton if they met.

 

Do you think? When I typed that, I could see Bowe winning but I don't think that he would.

 

Bowe was definitely better than Norton.

 

I've always thought that this one would have been a classic. I go against consensus and pick Ken. It would become a brawl later on in the fight,and I'd take Norton's physical strength to swing it. Maybe by a split decision.

 

I doubt that. Bowe was no powderpuff puncher,but not a particularly hard one either.

 

Glass-chinned Holyfield would have disputed that statement, Stevie

 

Bowe would have beaten Norton guys. But Holyfield has a tougher time with Ken.

 

Hmmmmm intriguing matchup.

The only guys that a prime norton lost to were foreman, ali and holmes.

The only man who beat a prime holyfield was bowe (i scored the mm fight in favour of vander)

Norton's chin is no concern because only the biggest punchers wiped him out in his prime.

Did anyone punish holy's body as norton would? Was prime holy's lateral movement as good as 70's ali?

That being said, consider how accurate norton's overhand right was, despite looking wild, and the frequency with which bowe was able to catch holyfield.

I can't see there being a clear winner here but over 15 a winner would emerge down the stretch.

I think holy would have to fight the fight of his life to maintain the required activity against kenny and i'm not overly sure i'd expect him to take the championship rounds.

Also norton, even in his prime, was someone who would take rounds off and against a prime holy that's dangerous.

I think kenny wins a close 8-7 fight coming from behind to close it down the stretch.