Ken Norton's Chances Against Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier

I very much doubt Ken Norton had much of a chance against Muhammad Ali or Joe Frazier in their primes. Norton, known for his magnificent physique, crumbled under pressure, a characteristic that Joe Frazier displayed in abundance. Frazier was not as big as George Foreman, who overwhelmed Norton, but his relentless aggression would have made short work of Norton.

Relentless Aggression

Frazier was a proponent of relentless aggression, often described as 'The Machine.' During this aggressive style, Norton would find himself stepping back to consider his next move. However, during these moments of hesitation, Frazier's relentless assault would wear Norton down, resulting in fewer defensive openings and more successful punches landing on him.

Norton had the same trainer, Eddie Futch, who oversaw Frazier’s training. Norton shared that Frazier was extremely tough and relentless, often beating up his sparring partners. This toughness and endurance were pivotal for Norton. He mentioned that it helped him build the confidence necessary to later challenge Muhammad Ali successfully. Interestingly, a young Larry Holmes, another sparring partner, left Frazier's camp bruised and broken, highlighting the brutality of Frazier in the ring.

Uneven Fighting Styles

Norton is often praised for causing troubles for Muhammad Ali, but the style differences between the two fighters are significant. If Norton faced a non-exiled Ali, his troubles would likely be amplified. Additionally, while Norton could punch and even broke Ali's jaw, he did not always make the best use of his power. Norton's fighting style required room to maneuver and box, which Joe Frazier would not give him. Frazier would close the gap, leaving Norton with less time to strategize and more openings to exploit.

In conclusion, based on their styles and the aggressive nature of Frazier, it is highly unlikely that Ken Norton would have a chance against the formidable Birmingham Bomber in their primes.

Final Verdict: Frazier would have won via KO in 11.

Conclusion

While Ken Norton had impressive skills and a formidable physique, his cautious fighting style would have been insufficient against the relentless aggression of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. The bravado and confidence he gained from facing Frazier made him a formidable opponent in different contexts, but against aliens or Fraziers in their primes, he was likely outmatched.