who rates higher Ken Norton or Tim Witherspoon?

Norton didnt beat Young. That was a b.s. decision and his win over Quarry was nothing but a hollow victory over a shot fighter that Norton had been ducking for 6 years. Tim did better against Holmes than Norton did as well. Tim was a better fighter and actually earned his title instead of being the only HW champion in history to never win a title fight.

 

This is an odd comment. "Most of Tims big wins were SD" what were Nortons big wins? Ali SD, Young SD (and robbery). I dont consider Quarry a big win. Quarry was nothing at that point. Beyond that Norton lost all of his big fights and his resume of "big" wins is limited to the three names above. Its not like Norton's resume is head and shoulders above anyones. His is in fact one of the weakest resumes you will find in the HOF if not the weakest and really thats based on that one win over Ali and the stylistic problems he gave him. How many fighters can claim they made it into the HOF on one win?

 

Norton likely a steroid user? Why?

I am a big moralist about taking unfaiir advantage in transforming one's body & capacities unnaturally.
But it is also fair to moralize about casual/careess or vindictive charges that have no good evidence behind it.

1) What is the actual evidence, even anecdotal, who has accused him, where is the 'Evan Fields" smoking gun or ANYTHING.

2) What is even the suggestive observational visual evidence?
Which would be rapid muscle gain when a man aready has some size.
Or a total size reached that is implausible to be reached naturally?

6' 3" & 220 fairly cut & Norton's measurements are certainly within what one who is natural with a HW bone structure can achieve naturally.

Tyson was about the same weight & body fat & much shorter.
And I have no indication he used either.

While it was less common to use PEDs in Norton's time also.
His son was a somewhat larger football player. Genes & exercise.
Anyone MIGHT have, but unless you have & present spcific evidence, it is akin to smearing a man to accuse him.

 

That's an overstatement.

Arthuro Gatti, Bary McGuigan, Pipino Cuevas are in the HOF and Norton's resume is much better

 

No idea what you are talking about. Neither man was ever hwt champion. Norton beat Ali and went tooth and nail with him two other times. I watched his bout with Young LIVE and have watched it many times since. I was a huge Young fan in the 70s. Norton beat him by several rounds. Youngs offense was poor and Norton went after Young heavily to the body all night. Tim benefited as all fighters have from a watered down era with contenders who never should have been and champions who never should have been called champion. In his prime only ATG beat Norton. Tim on the other hand was koed by Smith in one round.

 

I'm sure I read that Norton didn't even lift weights when he was a boxer. If that's the case, he might have been a "natural". And I am usually very skeptical about these things!

 

Very true. Norton and his son have incredible genes. I never heard that he took PEDS. Don't believe that is true.

 

Very much doubt Norton took anything illegal. Some folk are just naturally muscular and Norton was one of those. Harold Johnson too.
Anyway, close call. I'd go for Tim but Norton has the bigger single win.

 

I wasn't being serious

 

Twit.

 

I hope everyone gets that one!

 

I really dont think much of Tim, Norton's first win over Ali was a solid win and his fight with Holmes was a great battle, Norton got the win over Young. What stands out for you in Tim's career ? I dont think Ken was a great fighter because of his obvious weakness to back up against a puncher but I think he had enough to beat Witherspoon and would rate him higher

 

Norton. fought in the best era of heavyweights, and beat the greatest one.Also did a movie with the fine Pam Grier. Really can't top that. Tim was probably the best heavyweight of his short era, but, as someone mentioned before, was hot and cold.

 

I really like Ken, good boxer, good guy, could hang with anyone who couldn't punch. But, who did he ever beat ? Ali and Cobb, that's it! I don't count the Young fight because Jimmy actually won that fight, I don't care what anyone says. I thing the Cobb fight was kens best win, didn't think he could beat Randy. ****, he couldn't even beat Scott LaDoux
Tim had some good wins, Snipes, Tillis, Page, Smith, Tubbs, Bruno, Williams. Yes, Kenny fought in what I think is the best era in boxing, my favorite guys anyways, but he didn't beat any of them, well, not many of them. I think Ken vs Tim would be a great boxing match if Tim dosent ko Ken early, but I believe Tim would land that big right hand early and ko Kenny. I don't care if Ken handled Ali, a lot of guys did, Frazier, Young, Lyle till he got tagged, Shavers, who I believe got robbed, so did Young, and I'm sure a few more.

 

Lol