The judging for Norton's fight with Ali in 1976 and his fight with Holmes in 1978 was decided on the judges scorecards on the 15th round. All 3 judges gave the 15th to Ali, two judges gave Holmes the 15th with one judge giving it to Norton meaning that Norton lost his title on a split decision. This makes no sense when watching the rounds. I think Norton was robbed in at least one of the fights. In his fight with Ali ( many think Norton was already too far ahead to need a win in this round to win the fight) Norton while throwing and landing fewer punches, still has at least two attacks in the round where he hurts Ali and lands the harder, better punches. Ali lands more but they are virtually all light jabs. Norton in the last 30 seconds of the round has Ali against the ropes and lands good punches that make up for his lack of activity in the round and I would give this round to Norton. However, I wouldnt say its bad judging to give it to Ali as it is not a clear round to give to Norton. The 15th round against Holmes is one of the best rounds in boxing history. Its as if both fighters know they have to win the last round to win the fight. I feel that Norton wins this round due to landing more and better punches in the first two minutes of the round. The last minute I would edge towards Holmes. He also hurts Norton towards the end but it does not make up for Norton easily winning the first two minutes of the round. So Norton wins the last 30 seconds of the round with Ali but loses the round and the fight and then loses the last 30 seconds of the round with Holmes and loses the fight. I would say that Norton on his performances against Ali and Holmes was arguably very unlucky to only win one out of 4 of those fights.
Holmes caught him with an uppercut at the end and but Norton won that round.Holmes-Norton could have gone either way and was a classic. Norton does not get enough credit for that fight in my opinion.
He doesn't get enough credit your right. I also think if u weren't a true KO puncher then boxingwise Norton could hang with anyone. Holmes was a sharp puncher as we know and so was ali. They would always be 50/50 fights
I always thought Norton won the 15th against Holmes too. You can't discount lots of good work early in a round just because a guy rallies late (at least you shouldn't)
The last round vs Ali I always felt Ali won clearly. Norton obviously was told not to take chances prior to the start of the round so he just layed back at arms distance from Ali the first 2:30. Then opened up in the final seconds. Very difficult winning a hwt championship 15th round fighting like that.
People were so eager to give the 15th to Ali, and when Norton spent the first minute quietly stalking the champ, they took the round from him. For the rest of the round it is Norton landing the heavy punches, with Ali in desperate retreat. Norton won that round and the fight, but Ali won the popularity contest. What a shame, to see a man's legacy stolen from him by biased judging. By contrast, I think Ken won the 15th against Holmes, but lost the fight. He started too late in that one and Holmes' lead was too big by that point. Still, Ken deserved a rematch without having to face the dangerous Earnie Shavers in the meantime.
Fair points I agree. I don't believe however that Norton needed that last round against Ali. I thought he won that one fairly clear. The Holmes bout was a blazing fight and I don't have a problem with the decision. Honestly the fight could've went either way.
