BoxRec

This was mentioned on another thread but I thought it deserved one of it's own.

What do you guys think would have been the outcome if Kenny Norton and Ron Lyle had fought each other around 75/76?

Along with Holmes vs Foreman this was one of the very few Heavyweight fights that didn't happen in the glorious 1970's.

Would Norton have froze and been blasted out early against the big punching Lyle like he was against Foreman and Shavers? Earnie Shavers himself has stated that Lyle was the biggest puncher he ever faced, also Lyle almost stopped Foreman as well.

Or would Norton be able to outsmart and outbox Lyle like Jimmy Young and Jerry Quarry did. Norton of course beat both Quarry and Young (just).

Any thoughts fight fans?

I liked Ken Norton, we're both ex-Marines and I will be eternally grateful to him for shutting Muhammad Ali up for at least a little while. But this fights ends only one way; with Ken Norton getting blasted out of the ring. Ken fought three big punchers in his career George Foreman, (ko by 2)and Earnie Shavers and Gerry Cooney (ko by 1). The story with Ken is that his crossed arm defense, counterpunching ability, and good jab made him a very tough opponent for good boxers like Ali, Quarry, Young and Holmes. But the big punchers just walked right through him and let's face with Ken's lack of movement he wasn't going to be able move out of the way. Ron Lyle in a very quick ko. No question.

Ron Lyle blows him out early, before the end of the fourth.

While it might be true that Norton "froze" against Foreman, the truth is that he was susceptible to big punchers, and was not by nature a defensive oriented boxer.

I think Norton proved he had a good style against the 'boxers' of the era (Holmes-Ali-Young)...against the big hitters (Foreman), he was in trouble...They used to say that Norton was vulnerable early, if he could get into the middle/late rounds, his chances kept improving with each passing round...I tend to agree with that...so if he avoids the early KO...he could have given Lyle a problem...but I think if Lyle caught him early, it would be lights out...I wouldn't want to place a bet on this fight...it seems too close to call...I don't see Lyle a cinch to blast him out early...but if I were forced to pick (without risking my money)...I'd pick Lyle...with great hesitation...if Norton makes it to the 8th round, he becomes the favorite in the middle of the fight, I think...

Yeah it's funny that many of us would rate Norton above a lot of the fighters that can beat him and lower than some he beat. But his was a rare style. Has anyone else looked like Norton in the ring? Can't think of anyone.

Today I think he could beat Byrd but have trouble with Sam Peters or maybe even Corrie Sanders. And yet overall I would rate him above them both.

Norton is an Enigma if there ever was one. A specialty fighter who gives Ali and Holmes fits and folds under Shavers and Foreman.

I think the odds are that he loses to Lyle early on.

I know everyone knows this but he would never have fought Frazier because they were such good friends. But if you want a fight that would be hard to call I think that one might be. I don't think Frazier had the one punch ability to make it a total slam dunk. I would favor Frazier but It would not be as easy for Frazier as it would be for Lyle.

And as I read my own words it is hard to explain the paradox but its that "styles make fights" thing. And Norton was one of a kind.

IMHO>

In honor Ken Norton's 60th birthday, I thought I would comment on this "What If Fight."
I agree that Norton was an enigma. You make a good case both for him as an underrated fighter and as an overrated fighter, and people already have. I do think that he had underrated power. I would say that he could punch almost as hard as Lyle and certainly was more accurrate. He didn't have a great chin, but he certainly didn't have a glass jaw. His ability to take a punch was certainly atleast as good as Lyle. He was also a better defensive fighter than Lyle.
Norton was a good counter puncher and wouldn't have had much problem popping Lyle after Lyle's wild swings. Add all of this to Norton's superior stamina and it seems that Norton would probably win.
And I not just saying this because it's his birthday!

I think Lyle had the style and the power to trouble Norton and if he started fast it would be a quick ko win for Ron. However if Ron started off slow and let it get into the 3rd or 4th rounds I can see Norton outboxing him. I lean towards Lyle overall..... 8)