BoxRec

12 rounds:
I think this is a hard one.
It would be a war, and for sure id pay to see it.
Although I rank Holyfield higher due to his resume, I see Norton winning this by SD.
I think Holy gets outworked on the inside, and Norton holds his own on the outside. Both guys get hurt, and this could go either way.
Im expecting Holy to win this poll. As usual Holy is way overrated.
However I see this as a very even match.

If Norton hurt Holyfield

Holyfield by KO

If Norton just tried to box.

Norton by UD.

I've always like Norton in this matchup big-time. The heavier hitter, superior stamina, and the better inside fighter. Also had the better jab. A competitive fight with some GREAT exchanges but after 15 Norton is the clear 8-6-1 victor.

Twelve rounds is just about a pick 'em. Fifteen would have to favour Norton, but really, there is no clear distinction between who would win head-to-head, IMO. The extra three rounds are as good an indicator as any, & without those, it's anyone's fight.

i'd favor holyfield but this fight is really too close to call. remember that holyfield went 15 rds in his 12th pro fight when he beat qawi. 15 rds might favor norton but i think this fight is close no matter what the distance.

bjermaine wrote:i'd favor holyfield but this fight is really too close to call. remember that holyfield went 15 rds in his 12th pro fight when he beat qawi. 15 rds might favor norton but i think this fight is close no matter what the distance.

That was at Cruiser, though. As Holyfield bulked & juiced his way over 210lbs, there was a marked downturn in his endurance. Taking rounds off, slowing up late...I'd bet the house he couldn't win any of the championship rounds in a fifteen-rounder against someone like Norton.

I fancy Norton to edge it in a great fight, I think Norton's jab makes the difference. When Norton wasn't intimidated he was an extremely hard night's work for anyone.

The jab was the bane of Holyfield's existence, and Evander tended to fall into lapses of "sameness" where he'd do the same thing over-andover, which would get Norton far, but I think eventually Evander would rally and stop Norton late while behind on points.

Diamond WEAPON wrote:The jab was the bane of Holyfield's existence, and Evander tended to fall into lapses of "sameness" where he'd do the same thing over-andover, which would get Norton far, but I think eventually Evander would rally and stop Norton late while behind on points.

I tend to agree with this scenario.

Evander somehow gets it done.

I guess, it would have been a war. And I favor Holyfield, maybe even by the stoppage. But Norton would have given him a very tough fight.

Kenny one of my favs from the '70's, but I'd have to go with Holyfield. UD or late stoppage. Norton can be hurt and Holy had the most amazing resolve of any fighter I can remember. Holy would out tough Norton. I don't believe that Norton could stand to merely 'box' for 12 or 15 rounds. Probably a memorable fight though!

Holy by a Split Decision over 10/12/15 round's it wouldn't matter this fight will be a Split decision every time and controversial

ClivePatrickLyons wrote: ↑02 Apr 2019, 21:02 Holy by a Split Decision over 10/12/15 round's it wouldn't matter this fight will be a Split decision every time and controversial

A tough fight indeed, but I can see Holyfield having enough power to eventually stop Kenny. Holmes almost had Norton out, and Holy hits harder than Holmes. I know I'd pay to see it.

I will pick Evander Holyfield. He had much more will, heart and determination. Only the great Joe Frazier at heavyweight, or maybe the great Rocky Marciano could match Holyfield's assets above. Plus, I think Holy is a much more complete boxer. He is faster, and more game. Ken Norton was a good boxer. A great champion. But, on his best night, he can't match The Real Deal's punch volume output. Sometimes Holyfield gets hit unnecessary at times. And sometimes was like he ran out of gas by the middle rounds. But, that will power that he had was unmatched. When he had to put it on the line, he was a true warrior. Holyfield by late KO around the 12th or 13th round.

There were others who matched Holyfield's will, heart, and determination, but I didn't want to focus on it. Holyfield certainly had it in spades.
Holyfield was one of the most accurate heavyweights ever. Accuracy is probably by far the most underrated part of boxing. The one clear advantage that Norton had was defense. He was much harder to hit than Holyfield. It would have been interesting to see how much trouble Holyfield would have had had tagging Norton. Also would have been interesting to see how aggressive Norton would have been.
Holyfield was not particularly consistent. He had lackluster performances; Norton would win those times for sure.
I would pick Holyfield to win, but Norton would have a serious chance.

I think if Norton works the jab and stays outside, he wins in a decision. Norton was slipperier than Evander too. In fights in which Holyfield wasn’t allowed to fight inside, he was much less effective.

Jasonkinsley wrote: ↑05 Apr 2019, 20:26 I think if Norton works the jab and stays outside, he wins in a decision. Norton was slipperier than Evander too. In fights in which Holyfield wasn’t allowed to fight inside, he was much less effective.

Which fights?

Norton vs Holyfield... I think prime vs prime... Holyfield had that little something extra... Norton could be tricky, could hit hard, had great endurance, but... Holyfield could take fights a whole other level if he needed to do so.