Fantasy Fight: Ken Norton vs Tim Witherspoon (haNZAgod)

Fantasy Fight 🥊 Ken Norton vs Tim Witherspoon

The masters of the cross-armed guard colliding! This would be a fascinating matchup of similar styles and 2 Heavyweights who were stylistic nightmares for Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes. Norton's reign as champion was very short but he holds significant wins over the likes of Ali, Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Young and then undefeated 38-0 Duane Bobick while Witherspoon had 2 separate reigns as champ beating the likes of Greg Page, Frank Bruno, Bonecrusher Smith and Tony Tubbs. Who would win between these 2 excellent but often underrated legends?

Ken Norton - Was an American boxer who competed professionally from 1967 to 1981. He was awarded the WBC world Heavyweight championship in 1978, after winning a close split decision over Jimmy Young in a title eliminator bout. He is often known for his fights with Muhammad Ali, in which Norton won the first by split decision, lost the second by split decision, and lost the final by a controversial unanimous decision. Norton also fought Larry Holmes in 1978 during the first defense of his championship, narrowly losing a split decision and his WBC title. Upon reading Think and Grow Rich, Norton went on a 14-fight winning streak, including the shock victory over Muhammad Ali in 1973 to win the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight champion title. This was his most famous and greatest victory although he would later go on to fight George Foreman for the Heavyweight title and also won the title himself in 1978. Norton retired with a professional record of 42-7-1 (33 KO's).

Tim Witherspoon - Is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1979 to 2003. He was a two-time world Heavyweight champion, having held the WBC title in 1984, and the WBA title in 1986. He beat Heavyweight world champions Greg Page, James Smith, Tony Tubbs, Frank Bruno and Cruiserweight world champions Alfonzo Ratliff and Al Cole. He is best known for his fight against undefeated Heavyweight world champion Larry Holmes in which he lost by split decision. Witherspoon also worked as a regular sparring partner for Muhammad Ali. Like other Philadelphia fighters, such as George Benton, Witherspoon was known for his use of the Philly Shell. Witherspoon would switch between the Philly Shell and the cross-armed guard depending on what punches he was defending against. Witherspoon used this defense in conjunction with rubber necking, which is turning the head to reduce the impact of punches, and effective counterpunching. He retired with an excellent record of 55-13-1 (38 KO's) and he is now a boxing trainer.

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