Ken Norton vs. Ike Ibeabuchi

[IntentionalButt]

Which of these chiseled specimens flexes in triumphant celebration on both men's best possible night? :think

[Pat_Lowe]

Ibeabuchi, its become cliche to say Norton couldn't handle a puncher but in this instance its got to be correct. Ibeabuchi was also much bigger compared to Norton.

[IntentionalButt]

poll added

[Zakman]

Norton was certainly susceptible to being knocked out, but where do we get the idea that Ibeabuchi was such a devastating power puncher?? Surely it cannot be the KOs he scored against the 18 nobodies he fought before fighting Tua and Byrd. Therefore, his reputation as such rests on his ONE ko over a rated fighter. That's not a large enough sample to draw any inferences, so I'll go with the proven world class fighter in Norton - who also competed in a much deeper era - by wide UD.

[Senya13]

Ibeabuchi by early KO (1st or 2nd round).

[Holmes' Jab]

Ibeabuchi was overhyped and never proved himself against a true top class fighter.His power whilst respectable is also overestimated and certrainly not on the top tier, Norton definitely has the tools to outbox him and take the decision here.

Norton, UD.

[Senya13]

Norton was overhyped and never proved himself against aggressive fighters with above average punching power.

[ChrisPontius]

Ibeabuchi was overhyped and never proved himself against a true top class fighter.His power whilst respectable is also overestimated and certrainly not on the top tier, Norton definitely has the tools to outbox him and take the decision here.

Norton, UD.

How are undefeated, prime versions of David Tua and Chris Byrd not top class fighters?


Unless you mean all time greats, yes, against them he is unproven.

But since Ibeabuchi had no problem in going toe to toe with a much harder puncher in Tua (who actually had a chin) and had no trouble finding an extremely illusive, durable fighter in Byrd, i figure he knocks out Norton within 6 rounds. Norton always flopped against punchers, even by his own trainer's admission.

[Mendoza]

Norton had a mentally and physical problems with punchers. He often backed into the ropes. Norton could not discourage or hold Ibeabuchi off for long. Ibeabuchi would eventually force Norton on the ropes, and finish him.

Ibeabuchi was an all time could have been. It is rare for a puncher to be so durable, and have such stamina. While Ike could be out boxed, it’s going to take a fairly big / skilled boxer with plenty of confidence, stamina, and durability to do it. Clinching skills would help a lot too.

[NickHudson]

While I am a bit of a Norton fan, I think he might get out-psyched against Ibeabuchi and possibly cave in when the heavy hands start to fly.

Although of course it it possible for Norton to last the distance (in which case he probably would win) I wouldn't be particularly comfortable betting on him against a known banger.

[rekcutnevets]

Norton doesn't hit as hard as Tua, therefore he doesn't hit hard enough to keep Ike away. Norton is not the defensive fighter Byrd was, and Byrd couldn't avoid being hit by Ibeabuchi. It is for these reasons that I would have to say Ike would beat the hell out of Norton. Norton would be lucky to see round 4.

[Russell]

Norton was certainly susceptible to being knocked out, but where do we get the idea that Ibeabuchi was such a devastating power puncher?? Surely it cannot be the KOs he scored against the 18 nobodies he fought before fighting Tua and Byrd. Therefore, his reputation as such rests on his ONE ko over a rated fighter. That's not a large enough sample to draw any inferences, so I'll go with the proven world class fighter in Norton - who also competed in a much deeper era - by wide UD.

Yeah, murdering a prime Bryrd and a outslugging a prime Tua...

Nothing impressive there.

[Zakman]

Yeah, murdering a prime Bryrd and a outslugging a prime Tua...

Nothing impressive there.

TWO fights does not a proven track record make. It continues to astound me how overrated Ibeabuchi is by boxing fans.

[Russell]

Two fights of that caliber within your first 18 says plenty about a fighter, regardless.

[Mega Lamps]

Norton wins by decision against Ike in a lackluster fight.

[IntentionalButt]

Norton wins by decision against Ike in a lackluster fight.

:?

[anut]

ibeabuchi by late tko better chin:smoke:smoke:smoke

[Mega Lamps]

:?

He would outbox him but would be weary of Ike's punch and would not take more risks than necessary.
And contrary to popular belief, Norton had a decent chin. He tended to 'choke' against big punchers but not all because of his chin.

[abraq]

Difficult to call. Norton had the tools to defeat Ike but the problem would be with his chin and psyche. Ike definitely had the tools to take advantage.

Had Ike had more time to develop, I would surely pick him to win.

[apollack]

Styles make fights. Neither guy would back up much, so we have to assess it based on how they did with other men who fought similarly. Norton always did well with boxers, but struggled more with punchers and real physical guys. Ibeabuchi proved his mettle against a real strong puncher in Tua. Ike showed punch volume and chin in that one. Based on that, I see him able to take what Norton had, and outhustle him to a decision. Although I see the possibility of a KO, really, when you think about it, Ibeabuchi was not quite as strong or as aggressive as say a young Foreman, nor as fast a starter as Cooney or Shavers. Therefore, I think Ike more likely uses his volume and power to win a decision rather than a KO. Should be competitive though and I wouldn't be hugely surprised if Ken pulled it out either.

[Sardu]

Ibeabuchi's rising star was aborted by a sexual assault conviction against a Las Vegas "entertainer"/stripper who accused the president of rape in a motel room. He may well have been on his way to tearing his way through the HW division - we'll never know what could have been. Norton, on the other hand, was a proven commodity. What you saw was what you got. He fought brilliantly against Ali and Holmes but folded quickly against Foreman and Shavers. He was a dead man walking against Cooney and totally washed-up. If you think I'm lying check out the 10th round of Norton vs human punching bag Scott LeDoux. Norton tired himself out on this heavybag and was hanging on for dear life by the end of the 10th round. This was TWO YEARS before the Cooney fight mind you. So let's take the outstanding Norton of 1973-78 here. I don't Ike hit as hard as Foreman, Shavers and Cooney. But he hit hard enough and was quicker than those guys. So having said that I'll take the president to defeat Kenny Norton in a sizzling slugfest by a split verdict.

[ironchamp]

TWO fights does not a proven track record make. It continues to astound me how overrated Ibeabuchi is by boxing fans.

The thing is, what we have to go by is what he did; not what he could have done or in your case couldnt have done. Can he be a tad overrated yes, but the fact is the perception is based on what we've seen from him. We've never seen him lose or "exposed" as a hype machine; we've never been proven wrong about him.

In this regard, I'd favor him over Norton.


Ibeabuchi TKO5