Ken Norton: What if?...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by William Walker, May 13, 2020.


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  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I’m not sure if it was a matter of him freezing up. I think he had a problem fighting off the back foot when he met guys who forced him to do so. That and I think his chin was questionable.
     
    mr. magoo, May 13, 2020
    mr. magoo, May 13, 2020
    #16
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  2. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Wow, my friend, I don't know about vs. Shavers. That uppercut ruined Ken (understand, I love Norton). I don't think he had anything left against him or Foreman, he was done.

    That said, do I think Ken had the SKILL level to beat Foreman? He was certainly right up there in terms of heart and boxing ability. To me it was mostly styles: any fighter who couldn't help but come forward got trashed by George.

    As far as Shavers, same deal. Holmes was all over the ring against Earnie...that just wasn't Ken's style. Ken did well against boxers, because he was a bit like Joe...always moving in. He provided to ample a target to monster punchers.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, May 13, 2020
    RulesMakeItInteresting, May 13, 2020
    #17
  3. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Shavers for sure. Shavers's chin was the worst of the 70s hw division. Norton was pretty durable. I think if Norton got a fast start like Quarry did, he might put away Shavers a few rounds.
     
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    #18
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  4. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm guessing you're a big Foreman fan? I just can't see the outcome being a carbon copy of Caracas. Foreman had turned into a slight boxer, Norton was much more developed since '74. I still think Foreman's power and chin would win the fight, but I think this bout could last a bit longer. I think Norton could stay away a few rounds, and it would eventually turn into a slugfest. Foreman would wear out from the pace, but the shots would hurt Norton more. Foreman would get his second wind and stop Norton, Lyle style. This '76 rematch is nothing short of the down-and-out bar fight between Foreman and Lyle, but not quite. I could even imagine Norton dropping Foreman.
     
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    #19
  5. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    True, Norton was a fighter who relied very much on psychology. Backing up, he would lose his edge. See, though, as witness vs. Quarry, and almost proven by Ellis as well, I think Shavers could be easily beaten if bombed from the opening bell before he even had time to measure up.
     
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    #20
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  6. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm not daydreaming. Norton was a Frazier-type pressure fighter. Not do much for 3 rounds, come on in the 4th. Step up the pace gradually and peak at the end. But I've seen fights were Norton came swinging for fences early on, and fights were he showed he could box. Style-wise, Norton is all wrong for Foreman, Shavers, and Cooney. When it comes to Shavers, tho, I just think Shavers needs time to measure to land the big bomb. Foreman doesn't wait, he throws punches until the fight's over. I'm not saying Norton would beat Foreman or Shavers, but I think he had the potential to, especially Shavers. I honestly still think he would have lost to Foreman any day, tho.
     
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    William Walker, May 13, 2020
    #21
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  7. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Well, when it comes to agreeing that Ken Norton was a great fighter, I'm your man.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, May 13, 2020
    RulesMakeItInteresting, May 13, 2020
    #22
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  8. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    TBH, I laugh when people think Cooney would always blow Norton out in the 1st, considering a prime Foreman who was better in every way than Cooney couldn't manage that,
     
    swagdelfadeel, May 13, 2020
    swagdelfadeel, May 13, 2020
    #23
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  9. Nighttrain

    Nighttrain 'BOUT IT 'BOUT IT Full Member

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    I think his point is that Norton’s reputation for having a glass jar is overstated.
     
    Nighttrain, May 14, 2020
    Nighttrain, May 14, 2020
    #24
  10. Charlietf

    Charlietf Well-Known Member Full Member

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    -Norton was in his absolute peak in 1974
    - Norton dropping Foreman is a joke
    - It would be as disputed as a rematch between Tua and Moorer. Norton wanted no part of Foreman anymore
    It has nothing to do with being a Foreman fan or not
    Foreman turned in a slick boxer?:facepalm::lol:
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2020
    Charlietf, May 14, 2020
    Charlietf, May 14, 2020
    #25
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  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Spot on.
     
    Fergy, May 14, 2020
    Fergy, May 14, 2020
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  12. Charlietf

    Charlietf Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Norton had exactly the same level of chin than Shavers, nothing more and nothing less. Simply Norton had better stamina.
    Shavers did not have the worst chin of the 70s, this affirmation is absurd, he lasted 12 rounds with a prime Larry Holmes, another 11 rounds with him and 15 with Ali, Roy williams could hit pretty hard and Shavers stopped him in the round 10. "The worst chin from the 70s" is not doing it.
    The most of the stoppage defeats of Shavers were TKOs not Kos. Only Lyle and ron stander(could hit pretty hard) knocked him out.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2020
    Charlietf, May 14, 2020
    Charlietf, May 14, 2020
    #27
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  13. Charlietf

    Charlietf Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Exactly. Absurd
     
    Charlietf, May 14, 2020
    Charlietf, May 14, 2020
    #28
  14. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Just saw it again recently. Your right Norton did fight a dumb fight with Shavers. I think Kenny was halfway out the door mentally. He was too bulked up with weights, slow and his legs were gone. Older fighters tend to migrate to the ropes to support their lack of legs
     
    ETM, May 14, 2020
    ETM, May 14, 2020
    #29
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  15. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    If it was just a matter of freezing up mentally against sluggers how did he handle Bobick so easily. Bobick was a good puncher correct?
     
    ETM, May 14, 2020
    ETM, May 14, 2020
    #30
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