Ken Norton vs Evander Holyfield

No, I think you're pretty much spot on here. I think it's exactly why Norton gets overrated in some versus matchups.

I feel the same way about Liston, he gets overrated by some imo because he crushed some smaller HW's who were frightened of him. Then that gets extrapolated to Liston crushing men bigger than him, who also have skills.

 

I was going to say I can see Ken winning more often than not but Holyfield is capable of beating fighters Norton would barely get out of the blocks against. And leave it at that.

Then I read this and decided that. Yes, Evander is far more agile, quicker feet and hands, better range of punches. Now I think Evander wins more often than he loses against Kenny.

H2H, Norton, unfettered by paralyzing fear, could be too awkward and win. But, overall, based on their records against a range of fighters including punchers, Evander is the greater fighter by a distance. At 23 Ken was making his pro debut; Evander was winning his first title against a HoFer in a fight of the year candidate. At 37, Ken was getting sparked in one by Gerry C00ney, Evander was giving prime Lennox Lewis all he could handle.

 

To be fair ETM, nor was Larry on the night he fought Kenny. He could not throw the jab effectively because of a bicep injury and, if you take the jab away from Holmes, it's like taking the hook away from Frazier. It's not the same fighter. I actually believe Evander could have had less trouble with Larry that night than was the case when he met the 42 year old version.

 

It's been done a thousand times. I almost always pick Holyfield but I will pick Norton by decision this time. Holyfield had the better career but that is irrelevant. Norton is about 1/2 an inch taller, has a 2 1/2" longer reach, and their weight is pretty similar... for this example I have Holyfield at 217 Lbs. (2nd Bowe fight) and Norton at 217 1/2 Lbs. (3rd Ali fight).

Both men look like they were chiseled out of granite.

Norton improved after his loss to Jose Luis Garcia (avenged with a 5th round stoppage) and the only clear loss he had between July of 1970 and March of 1979 was to George Foreman LKOby2. Norton beat Muhammad Ali once (broke his jaw in this fight) and lost two close decisions to him. Most agree he was robbed vs. Ali in their rubber match. Norton also beat Henry Clark KO5, Boone Kirkman KO7, Jerry Quarry KO5, Pedro Lovell KO5 (Spider Rico), Ron Stander KO5, Larry Middleton KO10, Duane Bobick KO1, Lorenzo Zanon KO5, and Jimmy Young W15. He lost a SD to Larry Holmes despite being past-prime. Norton was going thru a lot of personal problems prior to his fight with Foreman and admitted he had no real fight plan. With that said he fought pretty well in the 1st round.

I think Norton was as strong as Holyfield and punched just as hard. Yes, Holyfield had the better chin but I don't think Holyfield is stopping Norton. They both had good stamina. Norton did well against boxers and boxer/punchers. Norton had a good jab and solid defense. I think Norton could pull of a very close decision win, 115-114... 6 rounds to 5, 1 even.

 

I didn't know that.
What personal problems was Norton going through at the time?

 

Baby mamma drama

Mm

 

His personal problems at the time might be well-known but I honestly don't know what they were.

He was having some issues with the mother of his child. Such as?

 

He can't get a pass for that, here.

Evander must have had that to deal with every time he got in the ring!!

 

Not really fair to even bring that fight up, Ken though totally past it beat Scott entirely for seven rounds until he had nothing left, Scott came on against a done Norton dropping him twice for a draw and it would have been a ko had the bell not rung ten early. Kenny even just past his best days would have stopped Scott.

 

I brought up that fight because Ken liked to fight bixers, but he didn't like to fight brawlers.