Ken Norton vs. Ike Ibeabuchi

Ibeabuchi, its become cliche to say Norton couldn't handle a puncher but in this instance its got to be correct. Ibeabuchi was also much bigger compared to Norton.

 

Norton was certainly susceptible to being knocked out, but where do we get the idea that Ibeabuchi was such a devastating power puncher?? Surely it cannot be the KOs he scored against the 18 nobodies he fought before fighting Tua and Byrd. Therefore, his reputation as such rests on his ONE ko over a rated fighter. That's not a large enough sample to draw any inferences, so I'll go with the proven world class fighter in Norton - who also competed in a much deeper era - by wide UD.

 

Ibeabuchi by early KO (1st or 2nd round).

 

Ibeabuchi was overhyped and never proved himself against a true top class fighter.His power whilst respectable is also overestimated and certrainly not on the top tier, Norton definitely has the tools to outbox him and take the decision here.

Norton, UD.

 

Norton was overhyped and never proved himself against aggressive fighters with above average punching power.

 

How are undefeated, prime versions of David Tua and Chris Byrd not top class fighters?


Unless you mean all time greats, yes, against them he is unproven.

But since Ibeabuchi had no problem in going toe to toe with a much harder puncher in Tua (who actually had a chin) and had no trouble finding an extremely illusive, durable fighter in Byrd, i figure he knocks out Norton within 6 rounds. Norton always flopped against punchers, even by his own trainer's admission.

 

Norton had a mentally and physical problems with punchers. He often backed into the ropes. Norton could not discourage or hold Ibeabuchi off for long. Ibeabuchi would eventually force Norton on the ropes, and finish him.

Ibeabuchi was an all time could have been. It is rare for a puncher to be so durable, and have such stamina. While Ike could be out boxed, it’s going to take a fairly big / skilled boxer with plenty of confidence, stamina, and durability to do it. Clinching skills would help a lot too.

 

While I am a bit of a Norton fan, I think he might get out-psyched against Ibeabuchi and possibly cave in when the heavy hands start to fly.

Although of course it it possible for Norton to last the distance (in which case he probably would win) I wouldn't be particularly comfortable betting on him against a known banger.

 

Norton doesn't hit as hard as Tua, therefore he doesn't hit hard enough to keep Ike away. Norton is not the defensive fighter Byrd was, and Byrd couldn't avoid being hit by Ibeabuchi. It is for these reasons that I would have to say Ike would beat the hell out of Norton. Norton would be lucky to see round 4.

 

Yeah, murdering a prime Bryrd and a outslugging a prime Tua...

Nothing impressive there.

 

TWO fights does not a proven track record make. It continues to astound me how overrated Ibeabuchi is by boxing fans.

 

Two fights of that caliber within your first 18 says plenty about a fighter, regardless.

 

Norton wins by decision against Ike in a lackluster fight.