Ken Norton v Larry Holmes,1978,who really won?

Question

watched this fight then and many times since,inc today.One of those fights you could have a doxen people watch it and get a dozen different opinions,the last three rounds are the best heavyweight rounds Ive ever seen.Im not and never really have been a great lover of heavyweight boxing but this one stands out,what do you think?

Answer 1

I have Norton winning round 1, Holmes rounds 2 through 8.  Norton didn't realize it, but he hit Holmes's tore right bicep in the 8th, essentially rendering The Easton Assassin a one armed fighter.  Norton rallied from 9 through 14, Holmes took the 15th because he finished the round stronger.  There were some toss-up rounds sprinkled in from 10 thru 14.  But Larry won it based on the ease of victory in rounds 2 thru 8, demonstrating some of the most masterly prize fighting ever seen.  The 15th round, Larry basically said "F-it, F the bicep, F the exhaustion" and went for it.  Won him the title.

Answer 2

This was one of the greatest heavyweight fights I've ever watched.  I was in the US Navy at that time sitting around with fellow sailors with everybody yelling with excitement as these two guys went at it with almost nonstop action rare for any heavyweight fight.  Holmes and Norton rattled each other with hard shots time after time.  Just when you thought Holmes was taking charge, Norton would come rallying back with a barrage of punches.  Realistically that fight could have been called a draw and I would have had a hard time arguing about it as it was that close and many rounds could have went either way.  I believe that the last round was the deciding factor in the fight in the judges eyes for the most part and when Holmes won that round, it earned him the title.