Ken Norton -vs- Floyd Patterson

[Holmes' Jab]

15 rounds, prime-for prime. Norton give a close-to-his-very-best Ali major fits, how'd he fare in this matchup?

[Joe E]

I like Floyd in this one,by decision.Both Men had Glass Jaws and went down to big punchers.I think Floyd had more Heart than Norton,better Boxing skills,and a better work rate than Norton.Floyd was also in with better people overall than Norton,being a top Heavyweight for about 17 years.Norton had no footwork to speak of,was only average in hand speed,and in my opinion kind of clumsy.Patterson by unanimous decision:happy

[Senya13]

Floyd wipes the floor with that journeyman.

[Mendoza]

Floyd wipes the floor with that journeyman.

Norton a journeyman? The match can go either way. I do think Norton was a triffle better though. A good match to look at is Ellis vs Patterson.

[Senya13]

We are talking prime Patterson, not the old one.
And yes, Norton was a fighter of journeyman level.

[garymcfall]

I think this would be a boring matchup

I can see floyd taking a decision maybe over norton.

[Duodenum]

Floyd has too much speed, too much mobility, too many skills, and too much heart to lose to Kenny. Floyd would be under Norton's right, and possessed a superior, faster, quicker hook. Patterson would be well inside Norton's wide looping punches and base, beating him to the draw continually.

Ken's not likely to drop Floyd in this one, but if he does, Patterson's conditioning will get him through it. As Floyd graphically demonstrated in the rubber match with Ingo, he could be extremely dangerous when hurt. But I doubt he takes Norton out.

Patterson UD 15 Norton

[hobgoblin]

Patterson wins by KO - he could punch - remember that left hook on Ingo?

[rekcutnevets]

I think that Patterson punches well enough to be a threat, just not like Foreman, Shavers, or Cooney.

I think that Norton's strength may play a role in this one. I think that Norton will realize, while down of points, that he can push Patterson around. Once this happens, Patterson will begin to absorb as good as he is giving. Norton by ko in Round 12.

[timmers612]

Mendoza, Patterson-Ellis, which I scored a draw, was a dissapointment to me. Ellis looked sloppy and Floyd didn't show much sharpness either. If there was ever a fight when Floyd needed to step up it was this one and he just did ok.

[Senya13]

Journeyman is what he was thought to have been by people in the 1970's and for some time after. One of the worst champions/title-claimants in history of heavyweight division.

[dmt]

Journeyman is what he was thought to have been by people in the 1970's and for some time after. One of the worst champions/title-claimants in history of heavyweight division.he's better then guys like Hart, Ruiz, Weaver etc

[Senya13]

John Ruiz has a better resume than Norton. He's 1/1/1 against old Holyfield, where Norton was 1/2/0 against old Ali.

[C. M. Clay II]

John Ruiz has a better resume than Norton. He's 1/1/1 against old Holyfield, where Norton was 1/2/0 against old Ali.

Only Holyfield was completely shot in all three Ruiz figths, and Ali was completely shot in only one of the Norton fights. Not to mention that Ali was a better fighter than Holyfield to begin with.:good

[hopkinsfan07]

i think norton would get the knockout in round 10-15 but i think Patterson would win most of the rounds up to then 7-3 in the first 10 rounds but i think Norton would land a knockout punch late or a hard hitting combo

[C. M. Clay II]

Anyway, Patterson is too fast for the flatfooted Norton. Once Patterson gets going norton wouldn't know where to find him. And once Floyd connects with his famous gazelle left hook it's lights-out for Norton.

Floyd Patterson KO 8 Ken Norton:good

[Senya13]

Ali was totally unprepared for 1st Norton fight, he almost didn't train at all (as Norton was supposed to be an easy fight for him, another bum of the month club fight). The second fight, people who knew Ali well at the time already said he was no longer the fighter he was, he was shot. Holyfield was coming off a close fight with Lennox Lewis, and went on to beat Hasim Rahman afterwards.
Ali a better fighter? You gotta be kidding.

[Mendoza]

Only Holyfield was completely shot in all three Ruiz figths, and Ali was completely shot in only one of the Norton fights. Not to mention that Ali was a better fighter than Holyfield to begin with.:good

Right. Norton was better than Ruiz.

[Holmes' Jab]

I think this is a close'un to call. Both fighters have average jaws, and both could bang hard so a win for either inside the distance might be likely. Patterson had the definite edge on speed and boxing skills, whilst Norton was a very powerful, awkward and versatile fighter who crowded opponents and proved an absolute headache to keep safely at bay.

If Patterson chooses to box smart he'd probably stop or outpoint Norton, if he tries to brawl- Norton has the style and agressive style to take him out. I'll stick to my instinct and say that Patterson stop him late on.

Patterson TKO10 Norton