What do you guys think of Terry Norris?

[FreeIkemefula]

Just wondering. It is hard for me to have a solid opinion on him. Sometimes I think he was a really great fighter with a bad chin. Other times, I just think he was a little overhyped. He could look great and then get stopped in his next fight. I remember back then thinking he was a bad man. Looking back on his career now, I am not so sure. This board seems to have an older crowd, so you guys might have some solid opinions.

[Richie Aprille rules]

To me, he was a good fighter, but not a great one because of his lack of chin (dropped by a S.Brown jab, ...). Also, all his reputation resides in his demolitions of John Mugabi (when he was way past his prime, if he ever had one), and a beefed up Meldrick Taylor, and his win over a a over-the-hill S.R. Leonard. Anyway, top 10 at 154.

[Eric the Viking]

Why didn't Norris ever fight Mike McCallum for the 154-lb. title? Was it that by the time Norris hit his peak McCallum was already getting ready to move to 160? Or did Norris' loss to Julian Jackson derail any plans for a fight vs. the Body Snatcher?

[FreeIkemefula]

Why didn't Norris ever fight Mike McCallum for the 154-lb. title? Was it that by the time Norris hit his peak McCallum was already getting ready to move to 160? Or did Norris' loss to Julian Jackson derail any plans for a fight vs. the Body Snatcher?

The Jackson loss could have been the reason. A little off the subject, but why in the hell was Terry Norris a household name and Julian Jackson fought on undercards his whole career. Not only was Julian a more exciting fighter. He knocked Terry the F out.

[Eric the Viking]

A little off the subject, but why in the hell was Terry Norris a household name and Julian Jackson fought on undercards his whole career. Not only was Julian a more exciting fighter. He knocked Terry the F out.

Good question. Normally with non-American fighters it's because they don't fight in the U.S. often enough, but Jackson spent most of his career in the states. And like you say, it's not like he had a boring style. Maybe it's that guys like Jackson and McCallum spent much of their respective primes in the shadow of guys like Leonard and Hagler. Same reason DLH makes 10-20x as much per fight as Bernard Hopkins nowadays. I also wonder if Norris' win over Leonard had something to do with it.

(Delete - whoops, got my wires crossed while comparing mutliple records. I thought Norris' competition was looking stronger than I recall. Thanks for whacking me upside the head, Broncano! ;))

[barry]

When Norris was on he was great, but when he was hit with a good shot he chin usually failed. A case of a great talent with all round skills except the ability to take a good punch, which is essential. He still managed to defend the title over ten times with that brittle chin. It's a shame that Julian Jackson was never a mega superstar because he was one of the more exciting figthers of the time. The primary reason that he never became the household name that he should have is simple...it was all the fault of Don King! King never did try to market Jackson like he should have. During Jackson's earlier years, King was focused on primarily promoting Tyson, while guys like Jackson, Chavez and even Azumah Nelson fought in the shadows. Then after Tyson went to jail King put all of his energy behind the promotion of Chavez, which turned Chavez into the star that he should be, but it still left the explosive Jackson fighting on undercards. I'll never forget some of the brutal knockouts that Jackson produced, like Herol Graham, Dennis Milton, Ismael Negron and Terry Norris. A puncher par excellence, but he always seemed to have trouble with "cuties" that is until he let loose some of the dynamite that he carried in either hand. Truly a superstar that should have been, but never was.

[knockout artist]

Why didn't Norris ever fight Mike McCallum for the 154-lb. title? Was it that by the time Norris hit his peak McCallum was already getting ready to move to 160? Or did Norris' loss to Julian Jackson derail any plans for a fight vs. the Body Snatcher?

MCallum was at 160 by the time Norris beat Mugabi.

[FreeIkemefula]

When Norris was on he was great, but when he was hit with a good shot he chin usually failed. A case of a great talent with all round skills except the ability to take a good punch, which is essential. He still managed to defend the title over ten times with that brittle chin. It's a shame that Julian Jackson was never a mega superstar because he was one of the more exciting figthers of the time. The primary reason that he never became the household name that he should have is simple...it was all the fault of Don King! King never did try to market Jackson like he should have. During Jackson's earlier years, King was focused on primarily promoting Tyson, while guys like Jackson, Chavez and even Azumah Nelson fought in the shadows. Then after Tyson went to jail King put all of his energy behind the promotion of Chavez, which turned Chavez into the star that he should be, but it still left the explosive Jackson fighting on undercards. I'll never forget some of the brutal knockouts that Jackson produced, like Herol Graham, Dennis Milton, Ismael Negron and Terry Norris. A puncher par excellence, but he always seemed to have trouble with "cuties" that is until he let loose some of the dynamite that he carried in either hand. Truly a superstar that should have been, but never was.

Don King is the devil. I read the "Life and Crimes of Don King" by Jack Newfield (I think) and his story led me to form an additional opinion as to why Julian was excluded. Don King knew the JJ was blind in one eye from pretty early on in his career. He beat guys like Tate with one damn eye. The overrated fraud Gerald Mccellen's greatest win was over a blind man in one eye. Anyway, Julian wanted to be marketed better. He told DK what is going on. I am exciting. I starch people. Pay me or I am leaving. DK told him, if you leave, I will let your medical records slip out. DK had a gold mine. He could give Jackson 100,000 dollars for a fight when he was worth 10 times the amount because if JJ left him, he could klet his medical record out. I was shocked that there were doctors out there that would let him pass a physical. He could have been killed facing the murderous Dog killer, Mccellen.

[barry]

I recall reading an interview with Jackson in I believe KO magazine several years ago and he was still praising King, although he should have been top-billing. Jackson was always modest, but I guess it's like you said, he really had no choice!

[FreeIkemefula]

I recall reading an interview with Jackson in I believe KO magazine several years ago and he was still praising King, although he should have been top-billing. Jackson was always modest, but I guess it's like you said, he really had no choice!

The great Larry Holmes always says SOMETHING LIKE I knew Don King was robbing me, but he was giving me enough, I could have had more, but it was enough. They all seem to never hate the guy. Evidently, he is a very charming guy. I know people who have met him and also every interview I read guys were prasing him, except Tim Witherspoon. I don't really care for ex-murderers (manslaughters technically) myself, but some people do I guess. How is Julian Jackson nowdays? I always wondered about his health.

[MightyWarrior]

A fantastic fighter in his day, he had everything really, except......a chin.
Up untill he was clobbered by Jackson, he looked like the 2nd coming of Sugar Ray Leonard.
Though to be fair, that shot would've knocked out Jake LaMotta. Then after that devastating defeat what does he do? Gets in with the 2nd hardest hitter in the division, John Mugabi. Pulled of an amazing win too.
The guy certainly had balls.

True, when he was outclassing fighters like Curry, Leonard & Taylor he looked unbeatable. But they were all faded.
I always thought the loss to Brown was bizzare: It looked just another another faded opponent, but Simon starts knocking Norris over with jabs.
Like his chin just went over night.

[FreeIkemefula]

A fantastic fighter in his day, he had everything really, except......a chin.
Up untill he was clobbered by Jackson, he looked like the 2nd coming of Sugar Ray Leonard.
Though to be fair, that shot would've knocked out Jake LaMotta. Then after that devastating defeat what does he do? Gets in with the 2nd hardest hitter in the division, John Mugabi. Pulled of an amazing win too.
The guy certainly had balls.

True, when he was outclassing fighters like Curry, Leonard & Taylor he looked unbeatable. But they were all faded.
I always thought the loss to Brown was bizzare: It looked just another another faded opponent, but Simon starts knocking Norris over with jabs.
Like his chin just went over night.

That is certainly possible. THe shot Jackson hit him with was a bomb. I agree 9/10 guys aren't getting up. I think in the Brown fight he must have had trouble making weight. If a fighter's tissues don't have enough water, it has an edffect on the brain. The jab that stopped him could have been he was in poor shape. When Mullings beat him though, there really is no excuse. Mullings was featherfisted.

[barry]

The last that I heard, Jackson was teaching amateur boxing in the Virgin Islands and he was also trying to get the VI government to pay more attention and fund more the amateur program in his country, but that was a couple of years ago. I'd be willing to bet that he is still working hard at the same thing that he was two years ago! By the way, FreeIkemefula, you are the type of person that I like to converse with, if you don't know something you don't care to admit it and you want to find out, when so many other people get offended when they might be wrong about something and will lash out about how they know everything and there's nothing that anyone can tell them that they don't already know. Only God knows all and if I don't know, I certainly would graciously like to find out from someone who does! I think that the certain human trait that I am speaking of is called integrity and humility!

[The Keed]

To answer the question, Norris was a very skilled and talented fighter with a glass chin. Simple as that. Sort of how I always viewed Tommy Morrison, except Norris was even more naturally gifted and had the much more successful career.

I think in the Brown fight he must have had trouble making weight. If a fighter's tissues don't have enough water, it has an edffect on the brain.

I'd be kind of surprised if he did. He weighed in about 2 or 3 pounds under the 154-limit, and always seemed to make the weight easily. He often talked about meeting JC Chavez at 147 (a fight which was ruined by the Brown loss). I think Terry's problem in that fight was that he underestimated Brown in his mind, and was too intent on blowing him out and making a good impression. Certainly, once Brown dropped him with that jab (which really put Norris on queer street), Terry was determined to slug it out from thereon in. He just couldn't get his head together and settle down to box, like he should've. In the rematch, you notice, he fought much more calmly and disciplined, and he won clearly.

[FreeIkemefula]

To answer the question, Norris was a very skilled and talented fighter with a glass chin. Simple as that. Sort of how I always viewed Tommy Morrison, except Norris was even more naturally gifted and had the much more successful career.

I think in the Brown fight he must have had trouble making weight. If a fighter's tissues don't have enough water, it has an edffect on the brain.

I'd be kind of surprised if he did. He weighed in about 2 or 3 pounds under the 154-limit, and always seemed to make the weight easily. He often talked about meeting JC Chavez at 147 (a fight which was ruined by the Brown loss). I think Terry's problem in that fight was that he underestimated Brown in his mind, and was too intent on blowing him out and making a good impression. Certainly, once Brown dropped him with that jab (which really put Norris on queer street), Terry was determined to slug it out from thereon in. He just couldn't get his head together and settle down to box, like he should've. In the rematch, you notice, he fought much more calmly and disciplined, and he won clearly.

That sounds good too. Mentally not preparing is almost always a factor in an upset loss. He had to be something though. It was a garbage punch. Norris was the man. He went into a sword fight with no shield. He still had a very good career. Being 2-3 pounds under the limited can be bad too. It could mean he overtrained. I don't really know. I am sure it was hard to get up for a Simon Brown when you are Terry Norris. Again, it was probably a combination of things and his chin didn't help things either.

[overhand_right]

good boxer, bags of talent, but stagnated under don kings direction of fight after fight against nobodys that progresses nowhere.

[overhand_right]

no mention of orlin yet??

has anyone seen the late 80s/early 90s orlin norris in the heavyweights?

the manner in which this little fella could intimidate and completely outbox big powerful proven tough guys like tony tucker, greg page, oliver mccall, renaldo snipes, jesse ferguson and so many others was simply masterful.

awesome!

[gensu3k1]

He only really had two problems: His chin and his tendency to fight dirty. Both were on display in his fight against Waters, a fighter who should not have given any great fighters much trouble.

But he was one of the most exciting fighters I've ever seen, and apparently was a gentleman outside of the ring. It's sad to hear the health problems he's having.

[overhand_right]

well at least he can be comforted from the millions he just won from DK!!!

[elmersalsa]

One of the mos OVERRATED FIGHTERS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! He made his carrer of fighting washed up all-time greats like Ray Leonard and overblown good oponents like Meldrick Taylor. but he never asked a rematch toi the one that put him to sleep: Julian Jackson.

He refused to fight guys like Felix "Tito" Trinidad, Gerald McClellan, James Toney and Roy Jones, Jr. but wanted to fight smaller foes like Julio Cesar Chavez and Pernell Whitaker. "Terrible" Terry Norris.... A Totally terrible overrated fighter!!! :x :x :x

[babyhuey]

i have to disagree with the last post, terry was a very inconsistant fighter,
when he was on, he was on, but much like, possably, lennox lewis or whoever else, he was eather mentally there or not there,
my buddy clayton fought terry norris, simon brown, mourice blocker, duane thomas and a list of others, he thought he beat simon brown and mourice blocker,but they gave both of them the decision, but he will tell you, terrys hands were so fast, he dident see most of the punches....norris on his on nights was p4p of his time

[IronKidDynamite]

Norris was downed by a left jab?

[IronKidDynamite]

Terry was a very dirty fighter. He was disqualified twice in a row against the same fighter, Luis Santana. The first one was faked by Luis, who lay down after a light rabbit punch. But the second one was blatantly a foul, a punch after a warning by ref, without the ref saying to box on. Terry made it out to be a mistake after DQed. He had a point deducted against a few fighters including Waters for hitting while he was down and was DQed against Joe Walker for hitting him on the canvas.

[Boxingmad]

I was, and still am, a big Norris fan. Yes, he did fight over the hill types like Meldrick Taylor and Sugar Ray Leonard, but he was gifted, and his weak chin kept you on the edge of your seat. A joy to watch.

[zslayton]

He had awesome skills, but the chin was not good. He could dish it out but could not take it. If he got to you first it was over, but if you hit him you would win the title.