This is interesting because Norton had the attributes to deal with smaller guys and even if they were punchers, they wouldn’t have the size to impose themselves of him like Cooney or Shavers were able to do. Maybe some bigger light heavyweights could set up some power punches like a Michael Spinks or Michael Moorer, I’d say these guys aren’t much smaller than a Shavers, so could they get it done? Would you pick any light heavyweights to beat Ken Norton?
Spinks as well possibly, but I'd make Ken the favourite. It's just that Spinks had that awkward style that possibly has Norton struggling.
I actually give Sam Langford a good shot even if i don't favour him. Sam twice ko'd the 6'4 220 lb Harry Wills, who was by all accounts a strong man and a good puncher. Now Wills wasn't fast according to those who saw him but Norton had a very come forward style and a great puncher could always nail him. Sam was more like 180-185 lbs at peak so not quite a light-heavy but if you count him as a rehydrated light-heavy, he makes the cut. Its hard to favour any light-heavy because hardly any of them ko'd or beat a good 215-220 lb fighter.
