Okay then, how about Ken Norton vs. Hasim Rahman?

Norton on points

 

Norton proved he was the goods in his rematches with Ali. Rahman basically proved his win over Lewis was a fluke by getting dominated and flattened in the rematch. Ali, as Lewis did against Rahman, whipped himself into great shape for the second fight, but Norton again proved a difficult adversary.

 

Or because Norton took advantage of a past prime Ali and always would have a style advantage over him anyways. I don't think getting dominated is what happened.. Because then Rahman dominated Lewis. it works both ways. Maybe Lewis's win over rahman was a fluke. they're both knockouts that seemed to come out of no where.

 

Rahman was behind on all scorecards until landing a right hand bomb on a Lewis who did not even bother to keep his hands up and treated the American foe with utter disdain throughout the match. In the rematch Lewis picked Rahman apart easily, winning each round. You could see the KO coming from a mile away. Afterwards Rahman went onto have a stellar career losing to the likes of a 40+ year old Holyfield, John Ruiz and Oleg Maskaev, with big wins over Kali Meehan and his buddy Monte Barrett.

 

Wasn't he landing a lot of right hands before then? and setting up Lewis with a jab before the KO?

I mean I think the focus thing is an excuse. he got caught with a huge shot just like Rahman did in the rematch. it happens

 

Norton was just better. Too much is made of his vulnerability. He was bombed out in two rounds by Foreman, but then so was ATG Joe Frazier. Shavers and Cooney - two of the biggest hitters of all time - ran over him when he was in the final stage of his career. Only the monstrous punchers really got to him. He withstood everything from Ali, Holmes, Quarry, etc. He'd handle Rahman just fine.

 

Yes, really. No, they're not close. SNV>>>>Ali>>>Norton>>Rahman>>>Young>>London>France>Underpants. You've been destroyed. I look forward to the next rematch.

 

Both were top contenders in their eras, how´s that a different class? Yes, Norton´s was better and he had a better career overall thus he should be thought of as a better fighter and rank higher but there isn´t a class difference between them.

Overall, yes. They are close but Norton´s ahead.

 

Rahman wasn't just a top contender. He was the linear champion. But I don't think the accomplishments on paper matter much here with the advantage of eyes. Briggs and Neon were linear champs too, but if you look at the fighters and their best fights, I think what's on paper aside, it's quite clear there's a class difference between these two. Norton didn't pull a knockout out of his ass against a great heavyweight in less than great form. He beat the majority opinion greatest heavyweight ever, across the distance, then arguably did it two more times.

Rahman was getting outclassed in the Lewis fight and Lewis, not a good version of to begin with, was basically just cockily ****ing around when he got caught. Because he wasn't even taking the guy seriously. That's how well Rahman was performing. A sloppy version of Lewis was easily outclassing him and barely above boredom and wakefulness. Lewis' stupidity was responsible for Rahman's great win. Norton's skill was responsible for his. When people talk about Norton/Ali, hey, they talk about how well-matched they were. When it's Rahman/Lewis, it's clear that even 1-1 with each other, one would likely have beaten the other one almost every time, best for best. H2H Rahman begins the fight reduced to a puncher's chance. Norton wins eight or nine of ten times. TKO10 just to pull an exact outcome out of me bum, as I do.

This content is protected

 

This content is protected

 

Sorry, B. I'd already picked my position, and decided to riff on it, off the cuff. :conf ...It couldn't be helped. ...That picture is really intimidating me and making me nervous right now. :bolt

 

Norton,by a runaway decision. Rahman was n't a power puncher like the ones whom knocked Ken out. The punch that ko'd Lennox in their first fight was all about timing rather than power.

 

Agree. but, a late stoppage. I sure don't think Rahman absorbs all those body shots from this guy. Norton had much much better conditioning and that oddball jab of his nullifies Rahman's best weapon, the jab. If those jabs are equal, Norton has a big edge in the rest of the punches. And Rahman drops those hands and if you factor in wear and tear on the body, I think one of those looping right hands of Kenny will hit paydirt late for the tko. Tough physical bout that takes a toll.

 

Norton outboxes him from rounds 1 - 6, but then Rahman manages to open up and evens it out a bit from rounds 6 - 10. Norton puts up a valiant effort in the final two rounds and wins a SD.