Ron Lyle (circa 1977):"Ken Norton is deathly afraid to fight me." Who would have won?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Sardu, Feb 16, 2008.


Page 1 of 2
  1. Sardu

    Sardu RIP Mr. Bun: 2007-2012 Full Member

    3,581
    52
    Jan 22, 2008
    In an early 1977 Boxing Illustrated story about contender Ron Lyle he made this claim about Ken Norton avoiding him at all costs. Keep in mind that during the glory days of the HW division most of the contenders all fought eachother.

    Common opponents of Norton and Lyle: Jack O'Halloran, Jerry Quarry, Jose Luis Garcia, Larry Middleton, Jimmy Young, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers, Scott LeDoux, Gerry Cooney.

    I feel as though Lyle was never the same after that 1976 topsy-turvy superbrawl with Foreman. However, the same could be said for Kenny after that heartbreaking decision loss to Ali in 1976 at Yankee Stadium.

    This fight could have been made sometime in the summer of 1977. A crazy time when a lunatic (38-calibre killer) was gunning down young couples in the Bronx and Queens and the city experienced a brief blackout after which mayhem ensued with people looting stores and destroying property.

    Lyle's resume was less than stellar after the Foreman fight. He was badly staggered by Joe Bugner but the big Hungarian did not press his advantage to try and finish Lyle. Lyle outworked Bugner to a decision. He then beat fringe contender Stan Ward on points. An aging Lyle was kayoed in two by someone named Lynn Ball and in his swan song his 'remains' were knocked out with a shot to the ribs by Gerry Cooney.
    He was outslicked by Jimmy Young in November 1976.

    Norton's exploits are well documented on here so no need to go into details. I should point out that Norton was a hot fighter in 1977 though. He wiped out 'white hope' Duane Bobbick in nanoseconds in May 1977. Then he on a hotly contested disputed decision over Jimmy Young in a spirited fight around the same time Lyle was beating ward in 1977.

    Would Norton outwork and outbox the cumbersome Lyle? Would Lyle intimidate and overpower Norton with his big shots? Any opinions? Thanks!
     
    Sardu, Feb 16, 2008
    Sardu, Feb 16, 2008
    #1
  2. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,667
    2,153
    Aug 26, 2004
    Lyle could punch but although a strong puncher he was not devastating, he was slow but I still think he had enough power to back Ken up for the stop or UD
     
    Bummy Davis, Feb 16, 2008
    Bummy Davis, Feb 16, 2008
    #2
  3. SteveO

    SteveO MSW Full Member

    4,255
    14
    Feb 4, 2007
    I pick Norton...but I don't really know why.

    Probably not fair to pick him without a reason.
     
    SteveO, Feb 16, 2008
    SteveO, Feb 16, 2008
    #3
  4. Icemmann

    Icemmann Breakin it down. Full Member

    954
    15
    Oct 10, 2006
    Thought it was a .44 the Son of Sam used. :huh

    Back on topic, I think Lyle would have knocked him out.
     
    Icemmann, Feb 16, 2008
    Icemmann, Feb 16, 2008
    #4
  5. Minotauro

    Minotauro Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,628
    712
    May 22, 2007
    I have a feeling Lyle would knock him out in one of the mid rounds like 7.
     
    Minotauro, Feb 16, 2008
    Minotauro, Feb 16, 2008
    #5
  6. Sardu

    Sardu RIP Mr. Bun: 2007-2012 Full Member

    3,581
    52
    Jan 22, 2008

    Thanks Icemmann it was the .44 calibre killer. My mistake.
     
    Sardu, Feb 16, 2008
    Sardu, Feb 16, 2008
    #6
  7. bxrfan

    bxrfan Sizzle Full Member

    3,061
    16
    Sep 28, 2007
    If we're talking 77, then Norton would have won. Both we're slipping at that point, but Lyle was more so than Norton.
     
    bxrfan, Feb 16, 2008
    bxrfan, Feb 16, 2008
    #7
  8. abraq

    abraq Active Member Full Member

    1,376
    19
    Sep 17, 2007
    I started this thread some time back.

    The vast majority of posters had picked Lyle.

    I concur.
     
    abraq, Feb 17, 2008
    abraq, Feb 17, 2008
    #8
  9. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

    43,650
    13,048
    Apr 1, 2007
    Norton wasn't matched with a few of the big 70's fighters, which is weird considering how most of them fought one another, as previously mentioned.

    Frazier vs. Norton also comes to mind, but that supposedly had more to do with mutual respect between the two and the sparring they did.
     
    Russell, Feb 17, 2008
    Russell, Feb 17, 2008
    #9
  10. clark

    clark Well-Known Member Full Member

    2,250
    71
    Jun 15, 2005
    Ron Lyle would win easily.
     
    clark, Feb 17, 2008
    clark, Feb 17, 2008
    #10
  11. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

    55,255
    10,354
    Jun 29, 2007
    Not an easy match to predict. Lyle had trouble with quick boxers.I think Norton's jab and movement would be enough to win a decsion if it went the distance. Either man could stop the other. I'll go with Norton here.
     
    Mendoza, Feb 17, 2008
    Mendoza, Feb 17, 2008
    #11
  12. Bigcat

    Bigcat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    21,545
    98
    Jan 10, 2006
    I say a pick em.. Kenny had some mixed showings.. The Lyle who boxed Cooney would get sideswiped by Norton.. But the savage who boxed Foreman would have demolished the Norton who faced George...

    Good match up ....
     
    Bigcat, Feb 17, 2008
    Bigcat, Feb 17, 2008
    #12
  13. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,685
    2,561
    Oct 18, 2004
    Norton at that time would've beaten Lyle, the Foreman loss took a toll on him.
     
    Titan1, Feb 25, 2008
    Titan1, Feb 25, 2008
    #13
  14. kenmore

    kenmore Boxing Addict Full Member

    7,132
    28
    Jan 29, 2008
    I watched Norton and Lyle very closely when they were fighting in the mid to late '70s. I remember their respective abilities in 1977. At that point, I think Norton would have beaten Lyle, probably by decision.

    By 1977, Lyle was showing signs of slowing down. He didn't have the panache, or speed of foot, that he had exhibited prior to the Foreman fight. I think Lyle's ringwear and age were getting the better of him by 1977.

    Lyle's win over Bugner was very indecisive. Many believe that Lyle won only because Bugner took the bout after a very lengthy period of inactivity and possibly Joe wasn't prepared to fight his best. Also, Bugner wasn't a big puncher, so Lyle was able to keep moving forward in that bout until he eked out a decision.

    Against Bugner, Lyle didn't show the same energy and fluidity he displayed two years earlier, when he did so well against Ali.

    Norton was still close to his prime in 1977. I believe he would have had the speed, energy, boxing ability and power to handle Lyle.

    Lyle probably would have had his moments against Norton in 1977, backing Ken against the ropes and winning points by outworking him on the inside. But Norton would have survived, and for the most part, he would have dominated the action in center ring with his fast, hard jab and his overhand right.

    After about eight rounds, the bout would probably be even, or slightly in favor of Norton. After the eighth, Norton probably would have taken full control, scoring frequently with big hooks, uppercuts and overhand rights.

    Lyle would have survived heavy punishment in the final rounds because of his very tough chin. Ron could take a punch.

    In short, I see this fight going much like the Lyle-Bugner fight, except that Norton hit so much harder than Bugner that he would have been able to back Lyle up consistently and win a hard fought but wide decision.

    Final score probably would have been 8-4 in rounds for Norton.
     
    kenmore, Feb 25, 2008
    kenmore, Feb 25, 2008
    #14
  15. markedwardscott

    markedwardscott Active Member Full Member

    1,165
    4
    Apr 6, 2007
    In 77 Norton would win. A few years before and Lyle by KO.
     
    markedwardscott, Mar 1, 2008
    markedwardscott, Mar 1, 2008
    #15
Page 1 of 2