How come these hevyweights from the same era never fought each other?

Question

Ken Norton vs. Joe Frazier

George foreman vs. Earnie Shavers

And who would've won if they had?

Answer 1

George Foreman would win, both can punch but George had better chin. Joe Frazier would beat Ken Norton by outworking him. I am not sure why they never fought one another.

Answer 2

smoking joe and shavers hands down.

Answer 3

Honestly, after the Lyle fight, I think Big George and his people just didn't want the risk, there were bigger money fights against a lot of less dangerous fighters, so they ducked Earnie.

Frazier vs Norton was one we all wanted to see, but again there were bigger names and bigger pay days, so it just never lined up.  I didn't know that they agreed not to fight each other, thumbs up to Toughguy.  The Ali and Forman fights were much bigger draws, so there was no real incentive to make the fight early on.  I'm not sure if the Norton car accident factored into it, but it might have played a part in why this fight never happened, it would have made a lot of money, and friends or not, money talks.  (Byrd and McCline were friends, but $$$ got them in the ring anyway).  I'm not sure of the time frame, but I know Norton fought Cooney post accident.

I think Frazier would have had enough left in the tank to grind out a win against the pre car accident Norton, but honestly I think of Hearns/Barkley when you bring up Forman/Shavers.  Earnie was a bad fight for George, and that one would have been something to see.

Great question, as usual and it's good to see your name again, you were missed.

Answer 4

Frazier's pressure and left hook would be to much for Norton to handle.  That one's easy.  The other one's a bit tougher, but I'd give a slight edge to Foreman because although he could be hurt and put on the canvas he'd get up.  Shavers was a big time slugger, but I don't think he was in the class of Big George.  Foreman by TKO in round seven.

Answer 5

Hello there Lovely Lady Vette.  I was wondering what happened to you.  Good question here.  Ken Norton and Joe Frazier agreed to never fight each other because they happen to be good friends.  I believe had they fought that Joe would have been too tough for Ken in a good fight with his relentless pressure and mean left hook.  I would say Frazier by technical knockout in 12 rounds.  Foreman and Shavers also never met in the ring and if they would have, it would have definetly been a slugfest.  Foreman had a better jab and he would have kept Earnie off of him before unloading his bombs and knocking out Shavers in 7 rounds.