BoxRec

I know that's a slightly cheap shot, but: Sam Langford, Harry Wills, Joe Jeanette, and Peter Jackson.

Brute wrote:Ken Norton won against Ali between Ali losing to Frazier and beating Foreman. He broke ali's jaw early in the fight but could not put him down. On the strength of that he got a shot at Foreman who cleaned him up in short order. After losing twice to Ali (controversially) he was given the WBC title when Spinks refused to fight him, but lost it to Holmes.

I would say Norton got as many shots as he deserved.

I don't disagree with you, I'm just saying he was unlucky. He got two (linear) title shots. On one occasion he was beaten by a top ten (some would say top five) all-time Heavyweight champion. On the other, he plainly got the job done & was robbed by the judges (even Ali flat-out said Norton beat him). On top of that, Spinks took the linear crown, & then ducked him, suffocating Norton's last shot at a place in history, late in his career. As a result, he got a piece of the title (while Ali & Spinks fought for the real thing) & then lost a narrow decision to another all-time great Heavyweight fighter, who had youth & comparative freshness on his side to boot.

I'm just saying, if Norton had been around in a less prodigious era, he would have been champion. He was unlucky with the judges, circumstances, & the era in which he arrived. & for that, he has my sympathy.

Martin Sosa Cameron wrote:Gerry Cooney
Isaac Logart
Florentino Fernandez
Jose Carattoli
Eduardo Lausse
Rafael Merentino
Jorge Fernandez
Mauro Mina


All they and others had all the conditions for to be World Champions

All of them, EXCEPT Gerry Cooney 8) 8) 8)

Of the old days: Sam Langford, Charley Burley, Gil Turner, Billy Graham, and Harry Wills

Of the 60s and 70s: Gaspar Ortega, Antonio Amaya, Jerry Quarry and Mitsunori Seki

Of 25 years ago: Gato Gonzalez, Nino La Rocca, Vilomar Fernandez and Earnie Shavers

Recently: Angel "El Diablo" Manfredy....Beats every top notch contender and then loses to the real champion.

Also Mauro Mina....I would have love to see him be the first champion from Peru, it did not happened.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:"I was in my early 20's in San Diego when Norton started out. He was fresh out of the Marines and became very popular. I had this screwy idea that I'd like to be a boxer(mabe it was because I played football and lifted weights). I went down to the old Coliseum looking for a start when one of Norton's trainers(it might have been Slayton) said if I'd like to spar with Norton. Norton had only a few pro fights under his belt,but I had never been in a boxing ring before. I had to save face so I said I would. Don't let no one fool you,I was plenty nervous. Well after about 10 seconds I understood what is meant by the saying"The Art of Self Defense" All I could think of was protecting myself.

Norton was pretty cool though. He backed off when he thought he might really hurt me. I was big and in pretty good shape so I withstood the carnage. I acted like Norton's punching bag 2 more times when I decided to look for less threatening competition. Norton was a real nice guy. I told him my dad was a Marine at Okinawa. He appreciated that. Marines do have a certain brotherhood between each other. Early in his career he had a problem with stamina. It wasn't because he didn't train. It was mental. Believe it or not he started seeing a hypnotist about this and he never had an issue with it again.

Kenny came close against Ali and Holmes,but the stars weren't aligned right in his corner those nights. He was in a terrible auto accident about 20 years ago that has impaired his speach. I see him around once in a while. He's quiet and seems very within himself" - Dagosd

What was his punch like? I feel his power is today a little undersold & that he probably hit harder than some imagine, though I was never in the ring with the man.

Sorry I got back late with you. Had computer problems.
Ken Norton had what some people call,a heavy punch. It wasn't so much a snap,but it was like being hit by an arm that was leaded with weights. I boxed with other fighters,mostly Navy and Marine amateurs,but I never felt the concussion of their blows like I felt from Norton.

I watched Norton and Ali train for their fight in San Diego. Norton definitely hit the heavy bag harder than Ali.

I can think of only one from my perspective and that is Tony Mundine.

Had the unfortunate luck to come up against a guy called Carlos Monzon.

Harold Brazier, 140 pounder from the 80's. The guy was a good fighter. Poor bugger also worked full time as a panel beater

Mitchell Green, and if he had his head together, would have been.