Larry Holmes vs Ken Norton Scorecard

Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

09th June 1978

10

Round 1

9

55%

45%

Reason: Controlled the action

Comments: Holmes jab, as it usually does, seems to dictate the pace of a very competitive first round, Norton has his own success getting into mid-range but at a lesser rate.

Holmes 10 (20)

Round 2

Norton 9 (18)

75%

25%

Reason: Dominated most of round

Comments: An absolute performance by Holmes. He rifled Norton with jabs, showed excellent versatility with hooks and uppercuts, showed great counter-punching, and may have even hurt Norton.

Holmes 10 (30)

Round 3

Norton 9 (27)

60%

40%

Reason: Effective counter punching

Comments: Norton just cannot seem to score clear blows, he has to constantly reposition himself. Holmes counters efficiently and often enough to win the round.

Holmes 10 (40)

Round 4

Norton 9 (36)

60%

40%

Reason: Landed cleaner or more effective shots

Comments: Norton has his best round in my opinion, he looks towards the body more, to moderate success. Holmes however, lands strong punches in an ambidextrous fashion.

Holmes 10 (50)

Round 5

Norton 10 (46)

50%

Reason: Even round

Comments: A beautiful shoot-out between the two fighters, they trade jabs and shots at center-ring, with very little separating them, not much happens after Holmes starts dancing, even.

Holmes 9 (59)

Round 6

Norton 10 (56)

45%

55%

Reason: Landed cleaner or more effective shots

Comments: Norton and Holmes fight a pretty even round, but overall Norton lands the best shots of the round, and a right which may have been the punch of the fight so far.

Holmes 10 (69)

Round 7

Norton 9 (65)

55%

45%

Reason: Landed cleaner or more effective shots

Comments: Larry Holmes lands a couple more significant punches, just thought I would note how few clinches this fight has had, and how that is mostly due to both having great movement.

Holmes 10 (79)

Round 8

Norton 9 (74)

55%

45%

Reason: Significant punch / combo

Comments: Holmes wins a round in which Norton strikes with heavy shots, but nothing compares to Holmes opening, which he defends well with a decent performance across the round.

Holmes 9 (88)

Round 9

Norton 10 (84)

40%

60%

Reason: Significant punch / combo

Comments: Norton has his best round, now he manages to disrupt Holmes rhythm with his punches, they don't always land, but when they do, they are destructive shots.

Holmes 9 (97)

Round 10

Norton 10 (94)

45%

55%

Reason: Landed cleaner or more effective shots

Comments: Holmes has good energy, but I think Norton is just more effective at this stage in the fight, landing well, in what is becoming a close fight round by round.

Holmes 9 (106)

Round 11

Norton 10 (104)

40%

60%

Reason: Controlled the action

Comments: Holmes hasn't gone here often, and it shows. Norton begins piling on shots to the body early, and the head later, each has considerable force behind them, having Holmes lose a step late.

Holmes 9 (115)

Round 12

Norton 10 (114)

40%

60%

Reason: More active

Comments: A slower round, with notable weariness from Holmes, but nonetheless one with heavy combat, Norton is more active throughout and seems stronger as well as better.

Holmes 10 (125)

Round 13

Norton 9 (123)

85%

15%

Reason: Dominated most of round

Comments: Norton comes out the aggressor, but Larry Holmes puts together a series of rights that are so powerful that it is a genuine wonder that Norton stands on his feet, welcome to no man's land.

Holmes 9 (134)

Round 14

Norton 10 (133)

35%

65%

Reason: More active

Comments: Larry Holmes does not truly beat the champion, he allows Norton to be the aggressor this round, and even though he's beyond visibly exhausted Norton slugs it out and punishes Holmes late.

Holmes 9 (143)

Round 15

Norton 10 (143)

40%

60%

Reason: Dominated most of round

Comments: In a round in which both fighters seemed to have fought more ferociously and heartily than some fighters can imagine, Norton has simply wins more of the round. This is boxing's finest hour.

Josh's Scorecard