It's common knowledge that based on the criteria of their three fights together,Muhammad Ali was at his best in their second fight together. He was out of shape for the first one and pretty shopworn for the third. Ken Norton was in his prime for all three of them. Which one,though,was Ken's best performance out of the three ?
I had never thought about which Kenny was the best Steve, I have a hard time splitting them also while your take on Ali in the three is well said. Maybe Ken's huge error in giving Ali the 15th round in their third go would put that version a little behind how he fought in their first bout. I saw the second bout live and thought Ali a clear winner and indicative of what would have happened had they fought in Ali's prime.
Norton was an animal in their first fight. Absolutely all over him, great use of his jab. He beat the tar out of Ali that night, looked really formidable.
I tend to agree. Ken pulled out an even bigger shock than George Foreman did a couple of months earlier.
I suppose the Kenny of the first fight was going into unknown waters with Ali the Legend, in the first fight, so to keep focused and not become hesitant or distracted by over-respect and any psychological ploys of Ali, was impressive, In the subsequent encounters Kenny pretty much knew what he was dealing with, even allowing for a more determined fitter Ali, Kenny knew he had the ability to compete with Ali and hold his own, that confidence was earned in that initial encounter...so ALI- Norton 1st.