Quote:
Originally Posted by bradlee180
Futch did an interview once where he said a big mistake Ali made was fighting the unknown Ken Norton the first time because Ken had been sparring with Joe Frazier for months and had gotten very sharp.
Frazier fought Foreman and 2 months later, Norton fought Ali who Ali took lightly as just another stepping stone to eventually getting another title shot (Ali had already lost to Frazier). Norton busted Ali’s jaw and got the win.
Ken Norton, with one of the all-time great physiques in boxing, was vulnerable to aggressive, heavy punchers who could push him back on his heels making him back up, and whenever he fought those aggressive sturdy guys who came ahead throwing big bombs, Norton ended up knocked out. Shavers, Cooney, and Foreman who all had the power, sturdiness, and aggressiveness to drive the 6'3" 215 lb Norton back and finish him.
I think Smokin’ Joe’s aggressiveness, relentless pressure, and power would have eventually stopped Norton. Frazier’s bodywork alone would have hurt Norton’s 32" waist the same way Shavers' bodywork did. Norton’s cross-armed defense protected the head, but not the body so well, and Joe THRIVED on the body.
Norton clearly BEAT Ali in 2 of those fights.
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I seem to remember an interview where Eddie Futch said that Frazier normally handled Norton well in sparring sessions.....except shortly before the first Frazier-Foreman fight in Jamaica where Kenny was bulling Joe around the ring. An omen of things to come.
Yes....Norton won the 1st and 3rd bout against Ali clearly.....he kind of screwed himself by taking the 15th round off in the 3rd fight. Looking at Ali in the corner after the bout tells the whole story. You can tell that even he thought he lost the fight.
