Not a fair matchup Vic. Kid Norfolk was a strong lightheavyweight whilst Ken Overlin was 160 pound middleweight...
That´s true..... I didn´t think about that.....for some reason in my head Ken Overlin had fought at LHW too atsch atsch Don´t know what I was thinking.....my bad. Is true that people said Overlin was similar with Greb in his style, Burt ??
Vic,Ken Overlin was a helluva fighter who became middleweight champion in the 1930s...Because of his non-stop offense, Overlin was called by many fans of the day "the poor man's Harry Greb"...But Overlin in an interview replied, " i am convinced Harry Greb would easily beat me and my top contender both in the same night, with no rest in between fights ". High praise from Ken Overlin who beat the unbeaten Ezzard Charles in 1941...Ken Overlin is sadly forgotten today by the boxing fraternity...Shame...
We wouldn't expect Marvin Hagler to beat Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Mathew Saad Franklin,as they too were strong LHs...Harry Greb was an exception to every rule because his like we will never see again...Cheers V.
Greb would fight all three mentioned without putting much thought to it. And in the case of Charles, I don't think there's any doubt he takes him every time at 160. Charles was just coming on and had yet to grow into his post-war, natural LH frame, obviously still honing his skills. Just see the problem "Poor Man's Greb" presented to him. And this was a guy who beat Burley twice, albeit with a few lbs over him. Greb against Charles at his LH Peak would still be a ridiculously great fight.
I'm not sure Norfolk would crush Overlin....based on the footage we have of both Overlin could make things difficult for Norfolk. Obviously the Kid hit very hard; enough to snatch some of Greb's prime and health from him!
On another note, Overlin may have been the sharpest and wittiest fighter ever. His interviews are hilarious. (I doubt Kid Norfolk was funny.)
He was a helluva a fighter, and in 135 bouts,aside from his 3rd bout ,Overlin was NEVER kod except for the ko at the hands of a great MW Freddy Steele in 1937...I have read that he loved his liquor during his hectic career as a sailor and after...Is that the cause of Overlin's death at a young age...? P.S. I have seen Overlin fighting the tough Aussie Fred Hennenberry on film...Two tough dudes, that would be MW champion today...
He died alone in a room in Reno in 69. Boxing Illustrated did an excellent career life story on him a few years after. Yes the bottle was his downfall.
