Ken Norton: What if?...

I think Norton would beat Shavers probably by late to mid round stoppage. Ernie would always be dangerous. I see Kenny quicker, sharper keeping the fight in ringcenter, using his jab.

Cooney? It's hard to say. He was so big and that hook was kinda quick. Norton ofcourse has a much better chance. 50/50

 

No version of Norton beats the Cooney that he fought. Cooney was good at that point and all wrong for any version of Ken.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. Cooney was a sucker for the overhand right and Norton's was excellent.

 

Kenny really knew how to wind up and lunge in with that right hand. It was a bit like Witherspoon's in that, when it connected, it was pretty devastating.

It amazes me to this day how Ken, who was most often a looping puncher, was able to get through to so many boxers, yet had so much trouble keeping at bay the biggest punchers. He most certainly had a bona fide heavyweight punch.

 

Anything is possible but in my opinion Cooney was too big and too aggressive for Norton. Once Norton went on the back foot he had major issues with punchers. I don’t see him winning.