Mike McCallum v. Terry Norris

Depends on which Norris turns up. When he was on, there was almost nobody better. When he was off, there were few worse.

Speed and elusiveness could always give McCallum problems as Kalambay and, for a while at least, Curry showed. Mike was a hellishly good counter puncher but Norris' speed makes that a difficult task, even when he's throwing 80-odd punches per round.

The romantic in me, who admires Norris' talent so much and who thinks he might have been a superstar if he'd had a better ring IQ, wants to give this to Norris...But as you've alluded to, history tells us that Mike was a master at winning fights from difficult positions, while Norris was an expert in finding a way to lose them when he shouldn't have done.

Norris takes the early rounds but eventually gets too repetitive with his attacks, as he was prone to doing. McCallum figures this out, works his way close and gradually breaks Norris down to a late stoppage, having just about got back on to equal terms on the cards.

 

I feel it depends on how many body punches Mike landed, they could slow Norris down.

 

Excellent matchup. It would depend on which stage of Norris' career the fight occurred. There are some brief stretches were Terry might be able to pull this off. But, as Saad stated above, more likely than not, the consistency of the Body Snatcher catches up to Norris eventually and finds that chin for a late stoppage.

 

I think it hinges on whether Norris see's the final bell. If he does he'd win i think. Whether he could is open to interpretation. He'd certainly be outspeeding McCallum and building up points. He's have to box tho, mixing it up too much would be a risk. Norris combination of hand speed and power was superb and he could certainly pose a risk to McCallum, he had the power to hurt him and at the very least gain a healthy dose of respect.

McCallum has good power more so than big power but Norris didn't have the sturdiest chin. I'd have McCallum a 7-5 favourite i reckon. I'm not sure Mike would get enough into the body of a Terry Norris over 12 for it to be the deciding factor. For me it all depends on whether McCallum can put Norris in trouble and then finish him.The difference in durability makes Mike the safer bet for me.

Great match.

 

Terry's chin was not very good.. I think Mike gets to him eventually. but if Terry could box I think he could do well.

 

Norriss of he was disciplined has the power and speed to outbox Mike.
But that's the problem with Terry- somewhere usually he tries to exchange too much and it always cost him.
But Milton Mccroy gave Mike a good fight going into the late rounds and while he has a different style he isn't anywhere good as Terry.
I'll go with Terry being too fast and Mike running out of rounds to finish him. 15 rounds and Mike stops him. 12 Terry takes a razor thin decision.

 

The two greatest 154'ers ever.

You can make a case for both men. Too tough to call!

 

Who`s the best of all time?

 

no.. Terry has been overrated. he was knocked out by Brown and Jackson at this weight. His chin was too weak. I like him, but any top guy at 154 of the past like Hearns or McCallum knocks him out.

 

You say that like Tommy had an iron beard...

 

Tommy was in superfights where he brawled and hung on. Once Norris was hurt he was always knocked out. That is the difference between Hearns and Norris. Norris didn't have the overall skills of Tommy and chin. He was knocked down by a jab from Simon Brown. Hearns took all the legends punches.

 

True, but Tommy still got stopped.

As said, when Norris was "on" he was unreal.

 

A lot of guys got stopped, doesn't mean they have weak chins. If Hearns were not a superfighter, I am not sure people could say he had a weak chin.. He was hit by many fighters clean and stood in there. Norris? He was great when he did well and stayed doing well, but if he was hurt he usually was stopped. Norris not a great fighter..

 

when most guys are on they are unreal.. Whoever wins on Saturday will be said to be on. but when a guy is hurt and can still comeback and make it a fight, that is more impressive.. I am not knocking Norris, but Hearns had a much better chin.