Ken Norton...Ali's Toughtest Fight!

[Italian250]

People always say how Frazier gave Ali fits, and he did in their trilogy. But, to me Norton was Ali's true arch rival. To me, he won the 3rd fight and should have been the HW champ which he would have held until the Holmes fight in 1980. In Norton's prime years he beat EVERYBODY with the exception of his dismantling by Foreman (which unfortunately everyone remembers about Norton more than his accomplishments). Norton vs Frazier would have been awesome....

I remember reading about Norton and Frazier sparring... Norton couldn't live with Frazier until he fought Ali... after that Frazier didn't give him as many problems.

I actually thought Ali deserved the third (the second was questionable) as he finally managed to get into Norton's head. I also liked the fact that he had more power after the Rumble in the Jungle.

Best bit? "Harder, Kenny. Harder, Kenny."

[Riddick]

I think Frazier would knock Norton out inside 6 rounds. Norton has suspect chin and he doesn't have the tools to keep Frazier off his skin. Norton was stylistically terrible matchup for fighters like Ali and Holmes but he never could cope with big punchers and pressure fighters. Styles makes fights

[Hurlex]

i've herd ken norton was a monster in his day...like a mayorga will skills

[trephination]

Never been a big norton fan. the holmes fight was great though.....Ali's toughest fight has to be the third frazier fight.

[jack_the_rippuh]

I was reading an article yesterday as a matter a fact where they talk about Norton vs. Ali and what played the big problem for Ali was that he never learned how to block/parry a jab..

[Hudson_Hawk]

I think Frazier would knock Norton out inside 6 rounds. Norton has suspect chin and he doesn't have the tools to keep Frazier off his skin. Norton was stylistically terrible matchup for fighters like Ali and Holmes but he never could cope with big punchers and pressure fighters. Styles makes fights

Absolutely I agree with your opinion. Styles makes fight and the fighter with the agility to adjust to different opponents will always be given more respect and stature than those with obvious limitations.

[Mr. Violence]

The reason why Norton gave Ali problems is because Norton would always stuff his jab in Ali's face. That was the key to beating Ali, that a lot of fighters could not figure out. Nortons jab would break Ali's rythym and completely throw off Ali's timing. It's all about the jab.