Holmes vs Norton II

[JAB5239]

Let's say Norton doesn't have to fight that disastrous elimination fight with Shavers and instead gets the rematch with Holmes in March of 1979. Larry's bicep is healed and he doesn't have that worry in the back of his head.

Could Norton regain the WBC title?
If Larry beats him agian does it elevate his legacy any?

How do you see this fight going?

[Willow The Wisp]

Kenny had been slinging shots since 67', the summer of love and the 80s did not belong to him.
Hard to imagine Holmes upping his stock much; unless QueensburyRules here comes to the realization that slender Larry was an al-time great in the truest sense.

[Willow The Wisp]

And Scott LeDoux was kinda beating Norton up at that stage.

[JAB5239]

Kenny had been slinging shots since 67', the summer of love and the 80s did not belong to him.
Hard to imagine Holmes upping his stock much; unless QueensburyRules here comes to the realization that slender Larry was an al-time great in the truest sense.

I tend to agree. I think Holmes injured arm had a lot to with it being so close and Nortons best days were behind him. Would have been great to see the 1979 version of Holmes vs the 1973 version of Norton.

[Willow The Wisp]

I tend to agree. I think Holmes injured arm had a lot to with it being so close and Nortons best days were behind him. Would have been great to see the 1979 version of Holmes vs the 1973 version of Norton.

Great heavyweights, both.

[Bronson66]

Let's say Norton doesn't have to fight that disastrous elimination fight with Shavers and instead gets the rematch with Holmes in March of 1979. Larry's bicep is healed and he doesn't have that worry in the back of his head.

Could Norton regain the WBC title?
If Larry beats him agian does it elevate his legacy any?

How do you see this fight going?

Holmes would get an emphatic win,imo.

[billeau2]

Norton was a phenom: In an age where the heavyweight division was exceptional, in an almost Marciano kind of irony... here comes a football standout, who had athletic ability and instincts, but even while moving relatively well, and using a sophisticated guard that required understanding of back foot mechanics, still had crude delivery. Imagine if someone had removed the bucket off Ken's back foot! lol.

Nobody would have thought he could do much but he managed. However with that said, it was on borrowed time. Without refinement and efficiency Norton was running on pure athletic ability, his style was unsustainable. Larry would have had to balk to give Norton any real opportunity if this fight happened, I don't think he would have.

[billeau2]

Great heavyweights, both.

Norton was truly a mystery: Here was a guy with crude delivery, yet used a guard Archie Moore had used, which required a very good understanding of body mechanics. One had to understand their relative hand positions at all times, because your hands were held at the angle of your feet and not your head, how to transfer weight quickly back to front foot, and the use of the trunk and chin, turning about, all the while gauging distance very carefully... And he managed.

[GhostofDempsey]

I think Larry wins even more decisively in a rematch. Whatever Norton had left he used it up with Larry in their fight. He was 35 and wasn't going to have any new tricks. I think Larry stops him in late rounds.

[The D3vil]

I tend to agree. I think Holmes injured arm had a lot to with it being so close and Nortons best days were behind him. Would have been great to see the 1979 version of Holmes vs the 1973 version of Norton.

Right, especially since Larry was so much like Ali, who Norton gave fits.

I still lean towards Holmes, though,