Ken Norton 'The Second Comeback'

[gilgamesh]

I've seen the Norton vs Quarry bout quite a few times, fun little scrap with the bigger, stronger Norton getting the better of it and stopping the tough Quarry in the 5th round.

Quarry was past his best by then, while Norton was still basically at his best, but I get the feeling Norton would've beaten him even if both were at their best anyway, I think he just would've had a tougher time of it.

[Flump]

How do you think the 75 version of Bonavena goes against Norton Il Duce? I think Norton's jab is the key weapon and he pounds out a decision.

Norton's death made all of the national newspapers here in England, and the BBC news during the daytime as well.

[Flump]

1975

Kenny was punching 'very hard' at the time, as he was a little heavier at 218 to 220 lbs.

Kenny {Age 31, years, 7 months} ~ 6' 2 1/2" ~ 218 lbs. ~ 80" Reach
Oscar {Age; 32 years, 6 months} ~ 5' 10 1/2" ~ 206 lbs. ~ 73" Reach

I would go with Kenny to score a TKO 10 over Oscar Bonavena if they fought on March 24, 1975.

It was Oscar who pulled out 4-Weeks before that bout.........

Could easily happen, Norton was the better fighter. Bonavena was very injury prone in the last few years, sometimes over money according to reports...

[Giancarlo]

Spring of 1975

Nearly everyone believed, had Kenny gotten a chance against Muhammad Ali in mid-1975,
he would have beaten him to a 'Pulp'.

Muhammad Ali knew it too........

I don't believe that was the consensus opinion in 1975. Not everyone was as deluded as you, Duchess.

I'd suggest the vast majority of fans would have expected a close fight and when they met a year later that was exactly what we got.

What changed so much in 12 months?

[Giancarlo]

1975

I'm sure that Kenny Norton would have given Muhammad Ali more trouble than,
* Ron Lyle and * Joe Bugner for sure.

Quite likely, but how does that equate with your fantasy of Norton being hugely favoured to beat him to a pulp?

[Giancarlo]

1975

I'm sure that Kenny Norton would have given Muhammad Ali more trouble than,
* Ron Lyle and * Joe Bugner for sure.

Quite likely, but how does that equate with your fantasy of Norton being hugely favoured to beat him to a pulp?

Hollywood was going to make Kenny Norton 'A Star'.

'Mandingo' was just released {June 1975}, and Kenny was offered the role of Apollo Creed in the movie 'Rocky'.

Irrelevant as usual.

[evrenb]

Tuesday Night ~ June 25, 1974

Seattle Coliseum - Seattle, Washington

Following the 'disaster' to George Foreman in Caracas, Venezuela only 3-Months earlier {March 26, 1974},
Kenny Norton was about to embark in his 'Second Comeback'.

No 'Spring Chicken' at {Age; 30 years, 7 months}, #5 Ranked - Kenny at 30-3-0 {23 KO's} was coming back rather
quickly {3 Months} after the 'blow-out' in Venezuela.

Now at a bulkier 218 lbs., Kenny was {13 lbs. heavier} then when he fought Muhammad Ali in September 1973.

Kenny's opponent, was Renton, Washington's - Boone Kirkman, a 29 year-old 6' 1" 212 lb. puncher-brawler, who
had posted an impressive 32-3-0 {23 KO's} record, while gaining the #10 Heavyweight Ranking.

Not to be taken lightly, Boone better known as 'Boom Boom' was a pretty good banger who was physical strong,
and the the Boxing Pundits called the 'Mystery Man' from the Pacific Northwest.

Wins over ~ Larry Renaud, Jimmy Ellis, Jack O'Halloran, Robie Harris, Bill Drover and Steve Carter established
Boone Kirkman as a capable Heavyweight, and worthy of a #10 Ranking.

Do you know whether the Norton vs Kirkman was televised?

[Syntax Error]

Does anybody know why Norton got a shot a Foreman before Ali did?

Ali won the rematch, so, he would have been Number 1 contender at the end of 1973 & should have got a shot first.

[Syntax Error]

Kenny Norton had a 'contract' with CBS-TV.

Kenny Norton vs. Boone Kirkman

There is no listing of this bout being Televised, but CBS-TV did purchase the rights
to a delayed broadcast of the highlights {selected excerpts}.

Thanks for that.

[Bricks]

What a fantastic poster u are il duce.great thread

[Robinson]

And yet if Lovell had've faced Ali, and no doubt lost to him...

your glossy words for the talented fringe star, Lovell ,would
have been less than nice/

I can only imagine what pleasantries you would have reserved
for the tough though over matched Briton, Dunn if he had
not of faced Ali but instead fought Norton or Frazier.

[evrenb]

Pedro used to wear a wig into the ring..

[evrenb]

Pedro used to wear a wig into the ring..

That is Correct Sir,

Pedro Osvaldo Lovell {aka; 'Spider Rico'}

Pedro was actually a fairly decent Heavyweight, but he couldn't get many bouts.

He was fairly good. I have his fight with Leroy Jones on film and he looked pretty decent.
Not top notch...and no Ali didn't avoid him...

[evrenb]

Pedro Lovell,

Warranted a Top 20 Rating in 1975.

Hadn't fought in 9-Months leading up to the bout with Kenny Norton.

Last bout was a good 10-Round Decision win over 'decent' Jody Ballard in Honolulu {April 9, 1975}

Manager - Willie Ketchum could not get Pedro any decent bouts, even in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

"Nobody wanted to fight us. They didn't want to risk losing to an unknown. I didn't want to put
Pedro in the Ring with Kenny after a 9-Month lay-off, but the money was too good to turn down."

Lovell was well outclassed by Norton. It wasn't a difficult fight for Kenny at all. Kenny had a great run 1975, 1976 and 1977. Cynics may say he was undefeated during these three years ! Over to You Il Duce. . .