Norton vs. LeDoux

Double V,,,,,,,,

I remember watching that fight, like it was yesterday.

I thought Kenny won 7 of the Rounds, clearly, and the fight 95 - 93 in points.
The thumb in the eye in Round 8 didn't help much either.

Thankfully it wasn't scheduled for 12 rounds, for Kenny's sake.

 

Ken faded badly in the latter part of the fight. If Ken had been two/three years younger,he'd have eaten Le Doux up.

 

Ken ought to have had this one locked up on the scorecards by the time Scott thumbed him. Norton's hook to the body was working beautifully through the first several rounds, and his skills appeared fully intact. In LeDoux's previous outing, Lyle was able to wobble him repeatedly, but Ken's power was not in the same league as Ron's, so Scott was able to absorb it and tough things out through the first seven rounds without buckling.

In the neutral territory of Las Vegas, the 38 year old Lyle was able to rally from an early knockdown to take the SD over Scott in his final significant win. But LeDoux showed up for Norton seven pounds lighter in Bloomington, and availed himself the benefit of some hometown cooking on the cards.

 

If Kenny Norton had won,,,,,,,,,,he would have fought Mike Weaver in November.

The battle of the 'musclemen', with the winner getting Big John Tate.

Going into the last round, Norton was up by +2, +4 and +3 on the scorecards.

All scorers gave Scott Ledoux the last round 10-7.

 

And guess who gave Weaver his nickname, "Hercules?" Ken appears to have had some appreciation for Mike even before his title shot at Holmes.

 

Funny how things turn out.

Ken Norton should have gotten the decision over Scott LeDoux.

And Kenny, probably would have been in better shape 3-months later, for the Mike Weaver fight.

A victory over Mike Weaver, and Norton is in the ring versus John Tate.

 

Could Ken beat Mike at that stage though? In Scott's very next bout, Weaver boxed his ears off, and virtually shut LeDoux out over 12 in the same Met Sports Center venue three months hence, demonstrating surprising stamina along with improved skills.

 

I think Ken Norton stated after the fight, that he didn't train that hard, and
had abandoned road-work.

The one left-hook to body that Scott LeDoux landed mid-way through Round 7,
took away Ken's legs.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=143T3Bh5bSQ[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1fjv5Jp7rE&feature=related[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9QqkYvNj34&feature=related[/ame]

Courtesy of bigtimefighter1, over on the 'tube.

 

You could see Kenny's legs start to give out, late in Round 7.

Punishment for not doing your roadwork, and running uphill sprints.

 

Norton got old that night ... he easily won the first seven rounds and got tired and got caught ... He deserved the decision but it was clear at that point his legs were going as was his stamina ...

 

The Norton-LeDoux fight was originally scheduled for San Diego in July. I remember because I was a 12-year-old boxing fan staying in San Diego with friends and had tickets to my very first fight card featuring my favorite at the time, Ken Norton. Man I was bummed out when the fight was postponed. And surprised when I heard about the rescheduled fight being a draw. I still have never seen the fight. Glad it's on YouTube.

 

That bout illustrated just how far Norton had slid downhill. I was surprised it went to the decision and that it wasn't stopped by the ref at the end. Especially in Ledoux's backyard.

To think some folks thought this version of Norton still had a shot at an up and coming youthful puncher in Cooney after this was astonishing. Those old legs were going to have to work in reverse from the opening bell and it was just a horrible matchup.

 

i taped that fight on vhs ....... better quality than youtube but norton was shot by the scott leduex fight.