Norton in 1973 vs FOTC Ali?

I don't know.

Ali was a tad younger in slightly better shape for fight of the century, but he hadn't accumulated that many fights since his return from the layoff. In either case, I think Norton would have always been a stylistic problem for Ali.

 

I'd still take Norton.

 

Norton all the way. Ali's style was made for Norton.

 

Toss-up, but I think Ali could possibly pull off a nailbiter, depending how up for the fight he was.

 

For some reason Norton never had any fear of Ali.

Could have been he was a Marine and had served in Corps during the critical period from 1963 to 1967 when Ali was beginning to formulate his opinion of Viet Nam.

Norton never has said anything about it.....but once a Marine, always a Marine.

 

I think it was more like the fact that Norton had sparred with Ali, prior to first fight around three years earlier, and supposedly got the best of him, which made Ali mad.

 

Ali never beat Frazier in the FOTC but I think that version of Ali who fought very well in FOTC would UD Norton.

 

:huh

Yeah, it certainly looked that way in their 2nd fight.

1st fight - Ali came in fat & out of shape & got what he deserved.

2nd fight - Ali came in ready & outpointed Norton, having a couple of bad rds late on but winning clear enough IMO.

3rd fight - Ali was all done after Manila, he should never have been allowed near a ring.


Prime v prime - see the 1st half of fight 2 for a watered down preview.

 

Ali would win a close fight, probably take 8 or 9 out of 15 against Ken, who would still give him problems, but wouldn't have the experience to pull it out.

 

Good question. If Ali had one or two more fights under his belt on the night of FOTC,I'd say he'd win by a very close decision. Just like Ali-Norton II but 15 rounds instead of 12. As it stands though,I'm not sure.

 

Ali quote re: a 4th Norton vs Ali fight:
"I am not fighting that turkey no more."

Norton never made any similar statement that I know of.

Norton will always hold the psychological & style edge in
any fight they ever have.

 

Norton would have always presented problems to Ali.

 

How about the Ali of the second 1973 fight with Norton v the Norton of their 1976 clash in Yankee Stadium ?

 

The Ali of the Norton rematch was better than the FOTC Ali who was still terribly rusty .. I like Norton by decision ...