Floyd Mayweather, one of boxing’s greatest talents, has stirred the pot by claiming that Ken Norton defeated Muhammad Ali in all three of their legendary encounters.
While Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather are often regarded as two of the greatest boxers to ever step into the ring, their careers have often been compared but also seen as vastly different in many ways. Ali, known for his unmatched showmanship and his fierce rivalries with the likes of Joe Frazier and George Foreman, was just as impressive with his fists as he was with his words.
However, Mayweather—no stranger to controversy—believes that Ali’s record against Ken Norton is not what it appears to be.
Mayweather’s Bold Claim:
Floyd Mayweather, during an interview with Club Shay Shay in 2020, made a bold assertion about Ali’s rivalry with Norton. While Ali and Norton fought three times, Ali won two out of the three, including a narrow split decision in their first and second bouts, and a unanimous decision in the third. But Mayweather disagrees with the official outcomes.
He said, “Ken Norton really beat Ali all three times, go back and look at the fights.” According to Mayweather, Norton’s performances against Ali weren’t just competitive—they were outright wins, despite the verdicts favoring Ali in two out of the three.
The Ali-Norton Rivalry:
The iconic trilogy between Ali and Norton remains one of the most discussed in boxing history. Norton won the first fight in 1973 by split decision, and Ali came back to win the second in 1974. The two squared off one last time in 1976, with Ali securing a unanimous decision victory to settle the score.
Despite these results, Mayweather, known for his precision in the ring, suggests the judges may have been mistaken in their verdicts.
Different Styles, Different Legacies:
Both Mayweather and Ali are considered two of the finest defensive fighters ever to box. Ali’s lightning-fast reflexes and ability to "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" made him a beloved and electrifying figure. Mayweather, on the other hand, is known for his flawless defense and strategic approach to outpointing his opponents.
However, while their skill sets might overlap, one boxing legend believes they are far more different than they are alike. In a recent interview, a Hall of Famer commented on the contrasting personalities of Mayweather and Ali, pointing out that while both were brilliant at trash talk, they didn’t share many similarities outside of their skills inside the ring.
The claim made by Mayweather will likely continue to spark debates among boxing fans for years to come. Whether or not Norton truly bested Ali in all three fights is a question that may never be fully answered—but it's clear that Mayweather has his own perspective on one of boxing's most famous rivalries.
