Gene Tunney vs Ken Norton

[Ali4life]

I don't know if this match has been done before, but I thought this could be interesting. Ken Norton has given boxers(Ali,Holmes, and Young) a hard time, getting some close decisions. Gene Tunney is known for his scientific boxing and went nearly undefeated until he fought Harry Greb and avenged those losses. His big win is over Jack Dempsey who was still dangerous though past his prime. How would this fight plan out and please give reasons for your choice.

[Ali4life]

Good post! I will try to find that fight.

[BIG DEE]

BIG DEE HERE= Why pick on poor Ken Norton as Tunney would use Ken for a punching bag. The Ali that Norton fought was an immobile object who stayed on the ropes and rarely moved if he didn`t have to. With Tunney, Norton
would have to follow him around the ring with that leg dragging behind him.
This match-up is terrible for Norton as he would be to slow to catch a Heavyweight champion who with Muhammad Ali were the two fastest heavyweight champions with their feet. their hands weren`t to slow either.
Tunney by 10. 12, or 15 rd dec. and maybe KO as Nortons chin wasn`t the best and Tunney could really whack. A helluva lot harder than most people think. Only one man KOed Tommy Gibbons in 112 bout career and that was
GENE TUNNEY.

[red cobra]

Gene Tunney would have been an elusive target for Norton and would have punished him for a decision win. By the way, I'm not overrating Tunney, on the contrary, he's probably the most underrated great fighter ever, in his time on up to today.

[Bummy Davis]

Tunney by a Close UD

[Sardu]

Coventional wisdom would dictate that Norton's superior size and strength would be a problem for someone of Tunney's size. However, Tunney was not a normal 190lb fighter. He trained as hard as anyone (including Marciano) and he had superior intellect to go along with his incredible reflexes and conditioning. He was also a tough as nails ex-marine which belied his genteel reputation. I don't think he knocks Norton out but he wins most of the rounds.

Tunney UD Norton

[Hatesrats]

I just don't see how Tunney can hang in there with "Mandigo"
it would look like a Heavyweight Vs. a Super Middleweight
The Stalker Puncher Vs. The Speedster & Boxer
Ken Norton would irritate the best of boxers including both Holmes & Ali.
who themselves were big heavyweights for their era's.
it's the sluggers that gave Kenny real trouble.
Norton also was a high top knotch conditioned athelete
(The Evander of his era)

I think too much strength and overall size for Tunney.
Ken Norton by K.O. or UD

[Holmes' Jab]

Tunney, by competitive UD.

[brownpimp88]

Norton by ud, someone that lost to a prime Larry Holmes by a fuckin point and beat Muhammad Ali, is not going to have problems with a light-heavyweight boxer. Gene Tunney's boxing skill is quite overrated too, he was slick for the 20s, i would love to see him outslick larry holmes.

[Bokaj]

BIG DEE HERE= Why pick on poor Ken Norton as Tunney would use Ken for a punching bag. The Ali that Norton fought was an immobile object who stayed on the ropes and rarely moved if he didn`t have to. With Tunney, Norton
would have to follow him around the ring with that leg dragging behind him.

It doesn't seem like you've watched Ali-Norton II. In that one Ali comes in in terrific shape and moves really, really well for the first half of the fight. IMO no one, not even Frazier, gave such a good version of Ali such a tough fight. An aging Norton also came within an inch of beating Holmes in his prime.

I think Norton takes this one, maybe by KO. Tunney's chin wasn't really tested against HW-opposition. Dempsey rarely landed cleanly on him, but when he did Tunney went down.

[OLD FOGEY]

Tunney was certainly a great p4p fighter in his era, but I can't agree with the apparent consensus that he defeats Norton. Norton had a weak jaw but was tough to outbox and had a good jab. It is true Tunney could move all night but, frankly, I have never seen him on film against anyone who was skilled enough or big enough to outjab him. Dempsey did not try. The others such as Gibbons and Heeney were short men. Norton is 6' 3". I don't think he would have to chase Tunney down. He could just probe with the jab. To win, Tunney might have to take the fight to Norton and I just don't see him having the punch to do it.

[dmt]

Tunney is greater in p4p sense but at heavy Norton wins. Sure Norton did not have an amazing chin but Tunney was not a puncher. Norton matched well vs boxers and Tunney never met a great in his prime heavy. Tough close decision for Norton

[bxrfan]

Do we all forget that Norton beat the greatest heavyweight of all time(arguably) maybe three times? A real heavyweight too. And yet Tunney, who has never faced anyone like Norton or Ali in his era, easily beats him?

[teeto]

I'll pick Norton here, at HW , he was an awkward one to outbox. In p4p terms of greatness, this ones not close though, Tunney is by far the greater historical fighter. But anyway, i dont know if it gets stopped though, Tunney was realy tough, but this is a big guy and strong aswell. I'll pick Norton on poiints

[Grebfan9]

Very interesting matchup.

Tunney did move very well and had decent power.

Norton was a good puncher with a long reach and an awkward
defense.

While Tunney was an excellent boxer, he did have his problems
with Harry Greb.

I think that Norton was quick enough to land on Tunney and that
Norton's "Mongoose" defense would keep Tunney from landing alot
of punches. Norton also punched very well to the body.

I pick Norton in this one.

Grebfan9
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[zadfrak]

Another vote for a Tunney decision.

He'll turn Kenny all night long and just throw 1-2's and move. It'll take awhile for Norton to start to solve that Tunney defense and I just see him losing too many rounds before becoming effective. Tunney doesn't fight stupid and make mental mistakes and I just don't see Norton landing his usual high percentage of body punches to slow a guy down. At the same time, I sure don't see a guy like Tunney having any problems with that cross-armed defense of norton's.

[markedwardscott]

Norton bangs out close decision, based on being the stronger of the two fighters.