Is Ken Norton stylistically the worst matchup for either Klitschko?

[Sugarj]

Did Tyson ever face a heavyweight who wasn't taller than him? Holmes was 6'4", Spinks 6'3", Bonecrusher 6'4", Tucker 6'5", Thomas 6'3", Bruno 6'3", Williams 6'3", Biggs 6'5", Ruddock 6'3" and so on.

Ha ha, I was referring to the 6ft 4 plus guys like Green, Tucker and Biggs.

[OptimusWolf]

The guy who said Bowe had it right - at his best he'd beat both klits.

I also think Lewis would beat both (of course he already beat one but in a slightly unsatisfying fashion)

[bojangles1987]

I dont think so. Either Klitschko is made for a fighter who can slip their pawing jabs, get inside and detonate with hooks. Everytime I watch either of their fights I find myself shouting at the TV 'slip that lazy pawing jab, and hook'. But none of these big lump challengers seem to have the reactions or handspeed to even attempt it.

Tyson was excellent at slipping and hooking, one good example is the knockout of Carl Williams, Tyson slips his jab and connects with an immediate left hook.

I actually thought prime Tyson (85-91) fought well against the taller heavyweights that he faced.

Agreed. It drives me nuts watching Klitschko fights and seeing all these "contenders" that don't understand the basic act of slipping a jab to get inside, or simply aren't capable of doing it.

[r.burgundy]

Ken Norton is vastly better in every department than Kevin Johnson, Chris Arreola, Shannon Briggs, Eddie Chambers, Sultan Ibragimov & Sam Peter who all went 12rds with the Klitschko Brothers and if Lamon Brewster & Corrie Sanders can wipe-out Wlad and Chris Byrd can make Vitali quit then Ken Norton would drop these two like a sack of potato's... to claim otherwise is exaggeration as the brother's have not fought any opposition who in any way come close to the experience Ken Norton has

lol he is better in every area except the most important 1.CHIN

[paulsinghnl]

Agreed. It drives me nuts watching Klitschko fights and seeing all these "contenders" that don't understand the basic act of slipping a jab to get inside, or simply aren't capable of doing it.

they understand, they just can't.

Like Bert Sugar said: Heftyweights, cuz really fit heavyweights go to the NFL. best heavyweight fighters right now - Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher..

[r.burgundy]

Norton "OUTBOXED" Muhammad Ali over 12rds and fought Larry Holmes to a split verdict over 15rds.. Norton liked tall opponents as he nearly killed Duane Bobick & Jose Louis Garcia both 6ft 4ins as well as beat Big Jack O'Halloran & Stanford Harris both 6ft 6ins.. Norton had a brutal overhand right and also a very decent left-hook, he could jab and also apply the pressure.. Neither of the Klitschko brothers have ever fought an opponent in their career's who was in the same league/class as Ken Norton... Norton vs either brother would be ..... TIMBER!

so what lol.ali and holmes were great fighters,but they werent dangerous fighters.

an overhand right is useless against somebody with a 5' height advantage.they can see that punch 2 miles away.

why didnt you mention that garcia also ko'd norton in thier 1st fight lol???

where was nortons pressure against shavers,foreman?he was ko'd by cooney in 1 lol.and before you say he was past it,he was the same age vitali is now

[check hook]

I don't think so. One punch from Tyson could put Wlad on his ass, but even at his absolute best bigger guys could clinch Tyson easier than they should have been able to. Vitali I think beats Tyson.

You mean guys like Bonehugger Smith and Hug and Hold Ferguson. These guys who went 12 rds with Tyson held on for dear life, LOSING EVERY ROUND IN THE PROCESS!!!!

Ferguson got DQ'ed for excessive holding. When was the last time you saw that happen??

Berbick was one of the biggest men (height, width, depth) that Tyson fought......but because Berbick actually wanted to win and not survive, so he got KO'd.

Stylistically Tyson is suicide for Wlad and to a lesser extent Vitali.

[Scott9945]

Not surprisingly this thread has turned into another Klitschko's vs The Universe thread. I'll stay on topic and talk about Norton. Ken was very tough against boxers but very vulnerable to punchers. Since the K's are boxer/punchers, it's a two sided story. Ultimately I think Vitali's strength wears him down. Vitali also has a very unorthodox style which makes it difficult for his opponents to find their rythym. Norton vs Wlad would be a very good fight if Norton is able to get his shots in. Both of them hit the floor before a KO finish. Put a gun to my head and I'd probably pick Wladimir.

[StarshipTrooper]

Agreed. It drives me nuts watching Klitschko fights and seeing all these "contenders" that don't understand the basic act of slipping a jab to get inside, or simply aren't capable of doing it.

They aren't taught how to do it. It seems like fighters these days are taught to fight one way and they don't vary from it even when something like being at a significant reach advantage would predicate against fighting in that manner. It's like somebody somewhere decided that there's only ONE proper way to fight in all and that's how they all do it regardless of the circumstances. It's ******.

Poet

[paulsinghnl]

They aren't taught how to do it. It seems like fighters these days are taught to fight one way and they don't vary from it even when something like being at a significant reach advantage would predicate against fighting in that manner. It's like somebody somewhere decided that there's only ONE proper way to fight in all and that's how they all do it regardless of the circumstances. It's ******.

Poet

well i don't know about that, if you look at the V. Klitschko vs. Kevin Johnson fight, the dude was rolling his shoulder, trying to get him to come in, and counter. but kevin johnson was too slow to counter effectively and follow up (or V. Klitschko was too fast and smart enough to get out of reach or clinch, however you want to see it).