Did Ken Norton Beat Muhammad Ali 3 Times?

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 15 Sep 2026, 14:10

I believe that he did. Ken Norton's style was very difficult for Muhammad Ali to solve. What's your opinions?

goose 5 · Post by **goose 5** » 15 Sep 2026, 14:26

I agree with the decision in their first and second bouts but disagree with the third fight's decision.

gilgamesh · Post by **gilgamesh** » 15 Sep 2026, 14:28

goose 5 wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 14:26 I agree with the decision in their first and second bouts but disagree with the third fight's decision.

x2

I thought Norton won the 3rd fight quite clearly. 2nd fight was close, but Ali deserved the nod there.

SteveO · Post by **SteveO** » 15 Sep 2026, 14:35

I thought Ali won all three

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 15 Sep 2026, 15:28

Is there not some area of boxing history we haven't covered yet? Are we really doing Ali/Norton... again? Then will it be back to Douglas/Tyson? How about a Leonard/Duran thread for the millionth time?

Seamus · Post by **Seamus** » 15 Sep 2026, 15:42

I had Norton winning the 1st by 2 pts, Ali winning the 2nd by 3 pts, and Norton winning the 3rd by 1 pt

gilgamesh · Post by **gilgamesh** » 15 Sep 2026, 18:20

overhand_right wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 15:28 Is there not some area of boxing history we haven't covered yet? Are we really doing Ali/Norton... again? Then will it be back to Douglas/Tyson? How about a Leonard/Duran thread for the millionth time?

I was thinking the same thing. I think we've talked these particular subjects to death.

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 15 Sep 2026, 22:41

Ken Norton clearly beat Muhammad Ali three times.

gilgamesh · Post by **gilgamesh** » 15 Sep 2026, 22:53

elmersalsa wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 22:41 Ken Norton clearly beat Muhammad Ali three times.

2nd fight was Ali's fight. Close, but his win was legit on that one.

So far you're the only person putting Norton at 3-0 over Ali.

Sweet Dick Willie · Post by **Sweet Dick Willie** » 16 Sep 2026, 07:18

So far elmersalsa the only one in this forum who truly knows the secrets of boxing

Ambling Alp II · Post by **Ambling Alp II** » 16 Sep 2026, 09:53

For the record, I thought Norton clearly win the first fight. No controversy about the decision.
I thought Ali won the second. There was no controversy about the decision.
The third could have gone either way. There were several close rounds. At the time, almost everyone thought it was close and could have gone either way. Gradually over time it became a 'robbery'.

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 17 Sep 2026, 01:56

gilgamesh wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 22:53
elmersalsa wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 22:41 Ken Norton clearly beat Muhammad Ali three times.
2nd fight was Ali's fight. Close, but his win was legit on that one.

So far you're the only person putting Norton at 3-0 over Ali.

I am not the only one. Two more followed. It means that a lot of people thought the same. That doesn't detract nor put down Muhammad Ali's legacy or all-time great status. Some fighters can't beat other fighters. And it is a great case here with Ken Norton. He was Ali's kryptonite.

784118 · Post by **784118** » Yesterday, 11:31

elmersalsa wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 14:10 I believe that he did. Ken Norton's style was very difficult for Muhammad Ali to solve. What's your opinions?

Well Norton won the first fight and was robbed in the third fight. The second fight was very close.

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » Yesterday, 14:26

784118 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 11:31
elmersalsa wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 14:10 I believe that he did. Ken Norton's style was very difficult for Muhammad Ali to solve. What's your opinions?
Well Norton won the first fight and was robbed in the third fight. The second fight was very close.

Ken Norton to Muhammad Ali was like Juan Manuel Marquez to Manny Pacquiao

gilgamesh · Post by **gilgamesh** » Yesterday, 14:56

elmersalsa wrote: ↑Yesterday, 14:26
784118 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 11:31
elmersalsa wrote: ↑15 Sep 2026, 14:10 I believe that he did. Ken Norton's style was very difficult for Muhammad Ali to solve. What's your opinions?
Well Norton won the first fight and was robbed in the third fight. The second fight was very close.
Ken Norton to Muhammad Ali was like Juan Manuel Marquez to Manny Pacquiao

It's definitely a similar kinda thing. Same as Antonio Tarver to Roy Jones.

Some people just have a nemesis in Boxing. A guy that is obsessed with taking your spot, and has prepared his style seemingly almost solely to deal with you.

Expug · Post by **Expug** » Yesterday, 18:14

In the case of Norton vs Ali, it was that Kenny was able to take away Ali’s jab. He let Muhammad jab, he catch it with his right glove held high, parrying it and fire back with his own jab, sometimes doubling up and opening up combinations.
He would also move to his right cutting off Ali who almost constantly jabbed and moved to his left.
Not a super complicated game plan but it worked.

gilgamesh · Post by **gilgamesh** » Yesterday, 21:25

Expug wrote: ↑Yesterday, 18:14 In the case of Norton vs Ali, it was that Kenny was able to take away Ali’s jab. He let Muhammad jab, he catch it with his right glove held high, parrying it and fire back with his own jab, sometimes doubling up and opening up combinations.
He would also move to his right cutting off Ali who almost constantly jabbed and moved to his left.
Not a super complicated game plan but it worked.

Basically study what the guy likes to do and don't let him do that.

Ezzard · Post by **Ezzard** » Today, 03:31

They would always have close fights. I thought Norton won the first with no argument. The other two I think you can make a case for either way.