Tommy Morrison vs Ken Norton

Lets us presume the Ken Norton who broke post prime Muhammad Ali's jaw on March 31 1973, vs Prime Tommy Morrison, who defeated old edition George Foreman. Norton was a sparring partner for Joe Frazier, and he last tasted defeat on July 2 1970, by KO 8 to Jose Luis Garcia. Ken's style or defense was quite peculiar, sort of awkward, right hand guarding the face, while the left protected the body. His right hand was very hard, and threw combos, fighting back on his right foot. Tommy could hit just as hard, and was quick. I see Ken fighting a cautious fight, aware of Morrison's punching power. I do see a close decision in this one, Norton eeks out a tight majority decision. Tommy is no prime George Foreman to blow out Norton, but Ken often tastes the combos thrown by Tommy. Neither fighter hits the canvas, but hurts the other.

 

Norton would take Morrison apart and stop him within 7.

 

End thread.

 

Wow, this thread is a good idea! Kenny had a good chance I think...but he'd have to get past the first four rounds or so. I think Norton would take some heavy shots early on, perhaps even be a bit outboxed, but as @Xplosive wrote wear Tommy down by the 7th round.

 

Norton wouldn't take the bombs Mercer took, that version of Morrison takes him in 5. If Morrison tries to box like he did against Foreman, Norton has a better chance

 

Norton by TKO in the mid rounds.

 

Kenny wouldnt have to take those clean shots. He was a better defensive fighter than Mercer. Quicker, more skilled, just as strong

 

More I think about this one more I reckon Norton takes it. Im going to rule out the Cooney and Shavers ko for Ken, past his best. The Foreman ko was pretty much near a top shape Norton but I don't think we can automatically say he gets stopped by any big banger. Kenny would move against Morrison, snapping the Jab, Tommy would hustle forward trying to hook him. This I believe would be the story of the fight going on for at least half of the fight. Now by the 7th Morrison s running out of ideas and steam and Norton s getting vicious, really catching him. Wouldn't surprise me if Norton doesn't stop him around this stage either with Morrison gassing hard.

 

Morrison. and early

That handspeed lands early while kenny is trying to warm up. That cross arm defense is wide open for hooks and anyone with a good left hook like a Brewster or Morrison or Tua are going to be a big big problem stylewise. And they will all come out bombing and Norton just is not effective at all backing up.

 

Modern Bid daddy Tom blows them both out in under a round on the same night.