Norton was the better career fighter as reflected by his resume, but head to head, I think Lyle could give him some problems. Although Lyle was no where near the calibur of puncher that Foreman, Shavers or Cooney was, he certainly had enough power and punching ability to hurt Norton. What's more, his counter punching capabilities would enable him to connect often, as Norton advanced forward with his crablike stance. Anyone can take this fight, but stylisitically, I'm going to rule in favor Ron Lyle, probably by stoppage. To answer your other question, I'm not exactly sure why the fight never came off.
I ran this thread some time ago here, in ESB. As Magoo says anyone could have won. But, I am pretty sure - in their respective primes - Ron Lyle would have beaten Ken Norton. I also feel that one of the main reasons why the fight never took place is that Norton and his handlers also felt likewise, i.e. Kenny would have his work cut out for him and Ron presented a very real danger. Like Joe Frazier, Ken Norton could afford to show a pre-occupation with Muhammad Ali and avoid Ron Lyle.
Teddy Brenner talks about having these two signed to face each other in his book "Only The Ring Was Square", and while it's been some time since I've read it, I'll try to give the details to the best of my memory; - After Ali-Norton III, a fight between Norton and Bobick was signed to take place in MSG early the next year (1977) - Ali, who had an on again, off again plan on retiring after that fight, expressed his wishes to Brenner that he'd like to fight and defend against Bobick - Brenner makes the Ali-Bobick match for early 1977, and with Norton still under contract to fight, Ron Lyle was signed in Bobick's place as a replacement to face Norton in what was supposed to be a double-header of heavyweight action taking place on the same card - Ali backs out of the deal for whatever reason (Brenner gives his opinion in the book and it's none to flattering to Ali...some lawsuits involved too, I do believe), which then cancels the planned double-header - Brenner reverts back to the original deal between Norton and Bobick, which obviously took place, and Lyle ended up being the odd man out
I agree with everything that you said, however I'd give Frazier a better chance to beat Lyle than Norton. Also, we have to consider that Joe's reign as champion was basically over with by the time Lyle had truly emerged as a contender. Exactly one month after Foreman dethroned Frazier, a 19-0 Lyle was beaten by Jerry Quarry. Given the time frames of their career paths, I don't know if the abscence of a Frazier vs Lyle match had anything to do with one avoiding the other.
I pick Lyle by KO. Not as high P4P as Ken, but a bad head-to-head matchup for him. Lyle by KO in 4, would be my guess.
Great match up.Norton was the better boxer on offense and defense, and faster. While it is true that Norton was vulnerable to aggressive punchers, Lyle himself did not have the best set of whiskers either. Lyle was a scary dude. There is a chance he could intimidate Norton, and stop him early. I think a KO either way could happen, and a Norton UD could happen. My best guess is the fight comes down to how lands their better stuff first, and my hunch is Norton is more likely to do that. It could go either way, but I will go with Norton. Lyle to me could hit, but was he really a huge puncher? Quarry and Ali, could not dent Norton’s chin at all. I think Lyle hit a notch harder than Ali and Quarry, but he was no Foreman or Cooney as a puncher.
If memory serves me on this, wasn't Joe Bugner served to Lyle in lieu of the Norton fight? I recall Lyle being none too pleased and there was a threat of legal action over this. Lyle wanted Norton bad. He and his people knew Ken was made to order for him. I believe we'd be looking at Lyle taking Ken out somewhere around the 5th round. Scartissue
Mendoza, just a notch harder then Ali? Those short left hooks Lyle dropped George with would have dumped many a heavy in their prime, in my opinion.
I think Lyle hit much harder then Ali and Quarry. Foreman has often stated that Lyle was the hardest hitter he ever faced over guys like Cooney and Liston who he sparred with. I think Lyle would win this fights bad syle for Norton and also Lyle was always convinced that Norton ducked him.
Whilst I think Ken Norton was the better fighter, Styles ultimately make fights and Ron Lyle would've had Norton outta there before the 2nd half of the fight.
