Mike Weaver- 6'1", 78" reach, 202-222 Lbs in HW World Title fights. He went 41-18-1 (28KO) overall and 3-3-1 (2) in HW World Title fights. He was stopped 12 times. He also held the lightly regarded IBA and NBA world title belts but we're not really going to count them are we? He had a rough start to his pro career going just 7-6 (4) thru his first 13 fights, he was stopped 4 times during this time. He was hot and cold thru most of his career but from 1975-1981 he did his best work. During this period he went 18-4-1 (13) overall, 3-2-1 (2) in HW World Title fights, and- lost close 12 round decisions to Stan Ward and Leroy Jones, beat Bernardo Mercado KO5, beat Stan Ward twice (KO9 x2), gave a prime Larry Holmes a tough time before being stopped in the 12th (for the WBC HW World Title), beat Scott LeDoux W12, beat John Tate KO15 (for the WBA HW Title), beat Gerrie Coetzee KO13, beat James Tillis W15, lost the title to Michael Dokes (LKOby1) in a crazy fight, drew with Dokes in a rematch in a fight many felt Weaver won (he did not get another shot at Dokes), then he started to go down hill. His last major World Title fight was in 1985 (LKOby8 Pinklon Thomas). In 1986 he stopped Carl Williams in 2 and lost a SD to Razor Ruddock but he was also stopped in 1 by Bonecrusher Smith. In 1987 he went 3-0(3) including a KO win over Johnny Duplooy. In 1988 he was stopped in 2 by Duplooy. In 1989 he went 3-0 (2), in 1990 he lost a 12 rounder to Bonecrusher, in 1991 he was stopped in 6 by an up and coming Lennox Lewis, in 1992-1996 he went 6-0 (3) including a decision win over Bert Cooper in '93. He lost his last 2 pro bouts by KO, his very last being LKOby6 to Larry Holmes in 2000. So, at his very best (the Holmes, Tate, Coetzee, Tillis, and 2nd Dokes fights) could he beat Norton at his very best (the 3 Ali fights, Quarry, Young, and Holmes fights)?
I think Norton would outpoint him with some shaky moments. A lot of people sell Norton short because of his quick knockout losses to Foreman, Shavers, and Cooney. Weaver would not have bullrushed Ken throwing haymakers that froze him up like Foreman and Shavers did, and obviously Ken would be much better than he was against Cooney. Ken would be throwing jabs and hard overhand rights and left hooks that would keep Mike off of him for the distance of the fight. Naturally Weaver would catch him with some shots but I don't think he would be able to capitalize on them well enough to stop Ken.
I pick Norton as well. Norton was stopped by Jose Luis Garcia (LKOby8th) before he peaked, he later avenged the loss (KO5). Foreman stopped him in 2 during Norton's prime but he did the same to Frazier. He was past prime vs. Shavers and Cooney. At his very best he beat Ali by SD, lost to Ali by SD, beat Quarry KO5, beat Young by SD, and lost to Holmes by SD. I see him having trouble with Weaver but winning a close decision.
Norton would win this 80 percent of the time. I can't really explain it any better than Bill did...very well put, Bill.
Norton by decision or Weaver by knockout. I don't think Ken had the power to halt Mike at their respective bests, nor do I believe Hercules had the level of skill necessary to box with Mandingo. Most times, I figure Norton would get the decision. Weaver could definitely hurt Ken if Mike loaded up and shot to kill, and the WBA Title version had the championship round power necessary to take Norton out late. Typically though, Weaver might have lacked the necessary aggression to produce a stoppage.
I think Ken had the power to stop Weaver. Did Pinklon Thomas hit harder than Norton? I think Weaver, as a relatively stationary guy, would be right in front of Ken and might get caught by something big. Ken would have to be ultra cautious in this fight, though.
Well, I said at their respective bests. Weaver against Thomas in 1985 is different than Weaver against Coetzee in 1980. Ken was impressive immediately before and after Foreman, which shows he could be highly vulnerable even when at the top of his game. I don't think he had Gerrie's power, and Coetzee had respectable skills as well. I wouldn't be placing any bets on this one.
Ken survives some shaky moments to win a UD over 15.I don't see Mike kayoing Ken, but shaking him to his core a few times.
AS i recall Mike was Ken's Sparring partner for some time, and a such perhaps would be conditioned to have an "Employee" Mentality, Mike would always have a chance with that Left hook, but it would probably be a Lucky big shot, more than a constructed end result, Mike does not bring the Workrate to sustain a "plan of campaign" he would simply - Hit Back, I prefer Norton's Stamina and Pace, plus that side on could keep Mike occupied in between the heavier Stuff, i think Noton would not View Weaver the Threat he did Foreman or Shavers, and proably would a Lyle, Certainly having Sparred Weaver Often Ken's not going to get Surprised, Weaver did against Dokes and Bonecrusher, so h i not the type to go Hell for Leather, from the off, or indeed at any stage, Mike's a Short Burst Mechant, i dont think that would be quite enough against a Norton who is Familiar with Him. Norton on points or Late Stoppage.
