Ken Norton vs. Floyd Patterson

You can't hide the fact that Floyd Patterson was knocked down by a few
mediocre punchers.
And then again, his chin holds up when hit hard.

Example; Jimmy Ellis floors 'rock jawwed' Oscar Bonavena twice. Lands several good shots on Floyd, and he doesn't go anywhere.
Which chin of Floyd shows up?

 

The loss to Norton came about six months after he beat Floyd for the second time. He was basically the same fighter. The version that just shaded Norton in the rematch was in much better shape then the one who stopped Floyd in their rematch.

Floyd was of course some way past his own prime when he rematched Ali.

 

Floyd was quite effective for a few rounds,was n't he ?

 

Probably the "better" chin because Norton was never a huge puncher and rarely got to his opponents early, except Duane Bobick. Doubt he'd repeat that kind of a performance, this one's going the distance in my view.

Physically strong, clubbing fighters like Bonavena and Chuvalo weren't the problem for Floyd.

 

This is a tough fight to really be certain. Floyd was dropped by many and KO'd when opposed with punching pressure. Ingo had power but an easy fighter to figure out but Floyd s speed combined with power made him a factor. Norton was a rhythm breaker and was trouble for rhythm fighters like Ali, Holmes and Young. Norton could cause Floyd some problems early and even put Floyd on the deck but I think it is a matter of time before Floyd lands some of his own and IMO Floyd hit harder and had faster hands than Ali, Holmes or Young. If Floyd hurts Norton my guess is he has enough speed and power to take him out

 

Kenny may have been just a touch to strong for Floyd.
Floyd would have to use up alot of energy in keeping Norton off him.
Norton always moved forward, in his winning fights.
Could Patterson back him up???

The only time Norton moved backwards, he got immediately 'knocked-out'.

 

This is a very interesting fight that could go either way .. Norton was much bigger (3") , had a much longer reach ( 5 plus inches) , was stronger and the better two handed puncher ... Norton was also pretty fast in his own right and he had a terrific , underrated jab. Patterson had a huge heart, explosive speed and a nasty left hook .. I favor Norton but feel this one could go either way as both had shakey chins ..

 

I pick Norton. Kenny was bigger and stronger with a very good jab and punishing overhand right. Patterson was faster but not necessarily elusive. Liston found him with no problem and Sonny was no speed demon. I think the difference here would be that Norton wouldn't be intimidated by Floyd and would impose himself physically on Floyd. Kenny wouldn't be nervous and tense the way he was against Foreman and Shavers, 2 men that Norton knew could really hurt him. If Norton felt he had the edge and was "safe" so to speak he was dangerous or at least troublesome. Against Patterson Norton would feel safe.

 

Kenny out-Boxes teh tiny Patty And KO's his glass mandible in Round 8.

 

One fact,

Ken Norton sparred an awful lot with Joe Frazier.
In 70/71 Frazier was the dominant one.
But in 72/73 it was Norton who was the aggressor.
Was Floyd Patterson as strong as 'Smokin Joe'?

 

Kenny would either win a late round stoppage, or more likely, by close decision over Floyd, who's experience would help him in this fight.

 

Oh yes. He gave it a very good go in the rematch. Went some way to make up for the one-sided drubbing he got in their first fight.

 

well I think the Ali that fought Floyd is better then the Ali that fought norton the first time

norton was in his prime but Floyd was way past it

 

well for one you shouldn't take sparring to this extent(Ali had took some punches from holmes, Henry Clark and Ellis, yet he still would beat all of them in a real boxing match) and remember floyd had a different style then Frazier
with that being said norton was definitely a physical guy and was probably stronger then Frazier and Patterson, but that doesn't equaivilent punching power
but still, I would take a prime Patterson to beat 72-73 Frazier, as he was a much different animal then prime Frazier

to me the sparring shouldn't e made out of anything