I think Holyfield would have lost all three fights versus Ali ( including one or two by TKO), one against Foreman (via KO) and one versus Holmes ( UD or late round TKO).
On the other hand, I think Norton would have beaten Douglas and Moorer by decision but lost to Bowe by decision and Tyson by decision or KO.
I think Norton was the better heavyweight fighter who fought the better quality fighters in his prime and their primes than Holyfield who fought and beat an already fading Tyson.
I think that Norton would have beaten Holyfield by decision in their respective primes.
I would give Evander Holyfield the edge here. He is not a big puncher and that is what would make this fight interesting. Norton was knocked out early and brutally by every big puncher he ever faced. Holyfield is extremely durable and that would be in his favor. Norton to his advantage fought better opposition as the 1970s was the greatest era in the heavyweight division. Holyfield has a better chin however Norton has a very unorthodox cross armed style. Holyfield by close decision by a whisker.
Its a match made up in heaven. Ken had his best win against the greatest HW ever in Ali. Holysh!t had his best against iron Mike.
Ken Norton Vs Evander Holyfield?
-Hard to pick really. IMHO the Norton that defeated Ali will give tough night to the Real Deal. But something tells me, Evander had every tool to beat Ken including the Ken that beat Ali and even Ali himself.
The fight
- First round, Ken tests whether the bulk in Holy is that good. Man, it was great. The two lock horns in the center of the ring but eventually Norton yields. Not only was Evander tougher, he was stronger too. Ken realizes this, he tries to box Holyfield but Ken learns he was in for a long night. The ring savvy that Holyfield had was too much for Ken. Holy never gives him an inch. By 12th, Evander catches Norton flash in the chin. Ken falls. Ken survives the round. By 13th, Norton was still on wobbly legs. Holy goes for the kill. The third man stops the fight. Norton nods, the man was the Real Deal. Holy cow, what a great fight!
Final verdict
-TKO for Holyfield. Great Q amigo
Holy would edge out Norton because of better skill, speed and ring craftsmanship. But Norton is one of the toughest heavyweights ever and he'd give Evander headaches with his crab-like stance and unorthodox punching. It would be a see-saw battle until the late rounds, wherein Holyfield would finally rally to steal the last 2 rounds en rout to a split decision win.
I agree, a VERY excellent matchup.
Holyfield was a boxing savant as a light heavy, alot of people forget that. He could always go back to boxing should he need to. Since Norton wasnt the most powerful (or biggest) heavy, Id think Holy could resort to boxing to take Norton out.
Although it would be a HELLOVA good watch.
I can see them beating each other in multiple fights, but Holyfield's durability will give them edge in most fights. Norton had a boxer/puncher style that gave boxer fits, but if Holyfield can wear down Norton's fair chin (fair for contenders and champs), he can knock Norton out. Norton's biggest weakness was heavy hitters.
Holyfield admitting to taking peds to get to heavyweight, he's a cheater thus i count him out. If they fought in an even playing field then give Norton peds and Norton wins via ko
Million Dollar Man
tricky aspect look on on the search engines that will could help
Ok now because these are two different eras a lot of people will answer this question before thinking it through.
First look at their respective primes: Norton's being when he fought Ali the first time, Holy-fields being being around 1990-91 (Douglas, Foreman).
They both fought Larry Holmes, Norton lost a split decision (past his prime) against a prime Holmes, Holyfield won a close decision against a past it Holmes.
Norton was slightly bigger, 6'3 with an 80 reach, Holyfield 6'2 with a 78 reach. Weight changes depending on what the fighter eats or if he bulks up, but at their prime - fast and least blown up weights they probably both floated around 210, with Holyfield building himself from cruiser (more muscle less frame size, which probably bit into his stamina at HW but was necessary).
either way they both possessed good strength at HW and good speed.
Holyfields chin is probably better, but not by a long shot - He never fought a Prime Foreman or Shavers. After those knockouts Nortons chin was ruined. James Toney knocked out Evander Holyfield and he was a natural MW.
Holyfield also probably will go down in history as a greater fighter and because of the Tyson fights.
But watching them both in their respective primes it's a damn good fight.
