Late Career Ali shows big gap from Holmes?

Norton gave boxers hell ... he may have beaten Ali three times. He beat a prime Young. He gave Holmes hell but Larry won.

Shavers gave Ali one of the toughest fights of his career, did untold long term damage and badly hurt him with a shot in the second round that was not as potent as the flu force flush shot he caught Holmes in the 7th round of their rematch .. other than that Holmes won 22 of the 23 rounds they fought.

Ali lost to a focused, prepared Spinks and then decisioned in grab and hold style a completely unprepared, undisciplined Spinks in a fight more historic than impressive .. Holmes destroyed a Spinks that was as focused as he got, coming off a terrific win over Bernado Mercado, in three rounds ..

I appreciate your question but I think under deep analysis it was not so close. As far as how they match up prime for prime , I just don't know .. they neutralize each other in height, reach and speed .. Holmes had a terrific chin, Ali's maybe a bit better. That would not matter in this match up as neither is that caliber of puncher. Both men had exceptional courage and will to win .. I personally feel Holmes had the better jab and a better right hand .. Ali may have been stronger physically and just a bit tougher .. head to head I really can't pick this one ..

 

He might have said that at some point, but I don't buy it. Norton wouldn't have put in the effort he did against Holmes if he weren't motivated. And 1977 was Norton's year. I think he was highly motivated after Ali III. Later he may have gone through the motions training for Stephens, Shavers, and LeDoux.

I'm a lineal guy and totally totally agree that Spinks was champion until he lost to Ali. But I'm sure in Norton's eyes he was a champ and that the WBC belt was finally a step toward getting all the marbles.

 

Disagree. Norton was DEVASTATED after losing to Ali in 76. It is perfectly reasonable to believe as Norton stated that he lost his motivation after that bout.

 

I'm sure Norton was devastated after losing the decision to Ali in their third bout. I wouldn't at all be surprised if, years later, he said that he'd lost his motivation after the Ali fight.

But I think Norton parlayed that disappointment into motivation through 1977 and through the Holmes fight. I don't think he crushed an undefeated and highly-regarded Duane Bobick, narrowly beat an on-top-of-his-game Jimmy Young, nor went life-and-death with future ATG Larry Holmes on talent alone. He put in the work to prepare for those fights and was the top guy in the division during that period.

Maybe he was only in it for a big money fourth Ali fight. But I think he felt he had something to prove.

 

I reckon Norton had certainly lost a bit since the last Ali fight in 76. His first two fights with Ali were all the way back in 73 and the third in 76. The Ali he fought in 76 had faded significantly from 73 and again they fought a close fight. Norton and Ali were not the same fighters from 73 for me.

What a great fight the 73 Norton would be with peak Holmes.

 

Ali went life and death with Shavers. He was also rocked a couple of times. That fight could have realistically went either way. Holmes though knocked down got up and stopped Shavers. Holmes did much better.

Norton/Holmes was a great fight. Close and competitive. I thought Norton methodically outboxed Ali in their `76 fight at Yankee stadium. Ali got that decision on name recognition.

 

Styles make fights..You should know this Reznick, not really a question if you know your boxing

 

Holmes fought Shavers in his prime as a fighter. Ali fought Shavers on his last leg.

Holmes fought L Spinks as a prime hwt champion. Ali fought Spinks as an old shot fighter already feeling the effects of being punch drunk.

Ali had three tough matches with Norton. Holmes had a tough match vs Norton.

Ali was the much more technically diverse fighter than Holmes. Ali was much more athletic, much more quick both of hand and feet, much more fluid in his movements. Holmes I would say had the harder jab but in all other areas a jab could be measured Ali's was the better punch. Holmes straight right I would say was harder than Ali's but in every other area a right hand can be measured Ali's right was superior. Ali also had a excellent left hook while Holmes hook was relatively non existent. Overall looking at all parameters Ali was the far greater technical fighter.

 

Watched that fight not long ago and thought Larry won 5 of the first 6 rounds . Norton came back some at the end to make it closer but he didn't win it.

 

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