Beautiful Blog

Later he said: "Kenny, you made me look silly." Ken Norton, left, on his way to becoming the second man to beat Muhammad Ali and busting his jaw in their 1973 heavyweight fight. 1. He is best 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 a slugfest with Larry Holmes in 1978, narrowly losing … He is best known for his fight trilogy 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 . Dare we say Ken Norton Jr. just did? "In the last round I hit him with a left hook and he became very defensive," Norton said. Bleacher Report ↑ How the spirit of Ken Norton's Marine toughness lives on in Ken Norton Jr., CBS Sports, November 10, 2015 ↑ Hypnotist Aided Norton – Confidence Key To Upset Of Ali, AP, April 2, 1973 ↑ Positive attitude key to Norton's boxing, AP, March 27, 1975 ↑ Think and Grow Rich. He was left in hospital, where his broken jaw had to be wired up. Whichever version is true, Norton and Ali were firm friends thereafter. Ken Norton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1989 with an overall record of 42 wins, 7 losses, and one draw. Three reasons. He was 70. Photograph: Brian Jones/AP, breaking his jaw when beating him on the most memorable night of his own career, on a split decision over 15 rounds to Larry Holmes in 1978. Frazier, who was close to Norton as a friend, never fought him. Of course he did, rallying late in the fight to win the rematch six months later and lucky to get the decision when they fought for a third time, at Yankee Stadium in 1976. Kenneth Howard "Ken" Norton Sr. (August 9, 1943 – September 18, 2013) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1967 to 1981, and held the WBC heavyweight title in 1978. Norton is survived by his wife, Rose, and his children Ken (an American football linebacker who now coaches with the Seattle Seahawks), Keith, Kenejon and Kenisha. Foreman would later become friends with Norton and praised him, saying: "He fought Ali through all those questionable decisions and, even though he was patriotic [Ali had famously refused to serve in the army], he never used that against Ali. He was 70. As much as getting a George Foreman interview was impossible, a talk with Ken Norton presented no difficulties. After a long period of declining health, including a succession of strokes and a heart attack, he moved into a care home. What a loss to all of us," Foreman wrote on his Twitter page. As for his 1978 fight with Norton ... it was a 15 round war that Holmes won by split decision -- earning him the WBC heavyweight title. Norton inherited the belt but lost it in his first defence, on a split decision over 15 rounds to Larry Holmes in 1978. Foreman defended his title against challenger Ken Norton in March, but he lost the crown to Ali, who had been allowed to return to boxing after a three-year ban due to … The original stated that Mandingo starred Joan Collins. In 1986, a car accident almost killed Norton. Yet he boxed with uncommon elasticity for someone who looked like a bodybuilder, probably never more effectively than the night in 1973 when he pounded away on Ali for 12 rounds to win the NABF title. Sports Illustrated https://www.si.com/2015/09/24/muhammad-ali-broken-jaw 2. The judges gave a narrow points decision against Norton, with booing greeting the verdict from many in the 30,000 crowd. Ken Norton won the NABF heavyweight title. An outstanding all-round athlete, Norton won a scholarship to Northeast Missouri State College (now Truman State University) through his proficiency at basketball and American football and as a track athlete. Instead of jabbing from above like most fighters, he would put his hand down and jab up at Ali." Having arrived in the sport's big-time just behind Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman (who stopped him in two rounds), Norton went on to perform at a slightly less exalted level. He won a world title in Muhammad Ali's gilded era, breaking his jaw when beating him on the most memorable night of his own career, and there is no reason to doubt he would have been similarly impressive now. On March 31, 1973, unheralded heavyweight contender Ken Norton outpointed Muhammad Ali to score a huge upset. Following the maiden defeat of his pro career against Joe Frazier, Ali was on a 10-fight win streak with a record of 41 wins and 1 loss at that time. The Ring magazine ranked Norton No22 in the list of all-time heavyweights, a fair reflection of his professional record of 42 wins, seven losses and a draw. That made me so proud of him. Editor’s Note: This feature originally appeared in the January 1976 issue of The Ring Magazine. They were close friends, and minus a zillion dollar offer, were not interested in hurting each other; 2. Seahawks defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr. talks to reporter Dec. 24, 2019 at the VMAC in Renton. 2) March 31, 1973: 12-round split-decision loss v Ken Norton (NABF heavyweight title; Sports Arena, San Diego) He was a member of the state championship football team and was selected to the all-state team on defense as a senior in 1960. Norton was the All-Marine heavyweight champion three times before turning professional in 1967. He suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured skull and a brain injury that left him with slurred speech. But in my opinion the fighters in our era, in the 70s, were the greatest group of fighters ever assembled.". Seven months later, Ali scored a close decision victory of his own in the rematch. Ali prevailed, setting up the match with Foreman. He […] Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. was an American professional boxer who competed from 1967 to 1981, and held the WBC heavyweight title in 1978. At the peak of his powers, Foreman faced Norton in Caracas, Venezuela, and floored him three times before the stoppage came in the second round, enabling Foreman to dramatically retain the title he had won by defeating Frazier in 1973. In our era, Ali was a boxer, man, very quick. He said he was ready to meet Muhammad Ali a third time anywhere. Unlike many of the undisciplined American heavyweights since the 60s and 70s, Norton was a gym-sculpted athlete, muscles bulging on a 6ft 3in, 220lb frame so glisteningly perfect it won him the role of the slave Mede in the 1975 movie, Mandingo. "For $50,000, I'd fight the Russian army," he said. The World Boxing Council awarded Norton the title when Spinks agreed to a rematch with the ageing Ali instead of a fight against Norton. Norton, a former US marine, had a cross-armed defensive style that troubled Ali. RIP Ken Norton. The loss did not adversely affect Norton’s fortunes; seven months later … He was hunting for his next adversary when Joe Frazier’s sparring partner Ken Norton entered the tale. Ali vs Norton II: Muhammad Ali avenges his upset loss to Ken Norton in an extremely tough, close and exciting 12 round battle. "The break in the jaw was an inch and a half long and he was being hit throughout the fight. Norton's then manager, Gene Kilroy, told the Associated Press on Thursday: "Ali thought it would be an easy fight but Norton was unorthodox. Muhammad Ali's cornerman, Wali Muhammad, didn't see the punch that broke the former champion's jaw during his March 1, 1973, fight with Ken Norton.Nobody did. Photograph: AP, one of the all-time classic world heavyweight fights. He was humane.". He retired in 1981 after being stopped in a round by Gerry Cooney. Norton was born and brought up in Jacksonville, Illinois. Before then, he had been working as a ringside commentator and had continued to act in films and on television. Norton, after the loss to Foreman, rebounded with more determination, while Shavers, after his loss to Quarry, ... Ken Norton had looked his most impressive against boxers and counterpunchers. Ken Norton: solid all round - solid boxer, solid fists, solid character and a very solid person. The former world heavyweight boxing champion Ken Norton, who has died aged 70 after a long period of … In the interview with R.A. he maintained it was the 12th and final round in which he broke Ali's jaw, not the second as Ali claimed. He made the usual advance of a heavyweight prospect, repelling a succession of the sport's journeymen and soon gained respect in the division. Kenneth Howard Norton, boxer, born 9 August 1943; died 18 September 2013. World heavyweight boxing champion in the 1970s who famously broke the jaw of Muhammad Ali in the first of their three fights, Muhammad Ali, right, winces as Ken Norton lands a punch during their second fight, won by Ali, at the Forum in Inglewood, California, in 1973. Holmes would go on to be recognised as the world No 1 until the mid-1980s, while Norton was never the same fighter again. The winner, meanwhile – whose $50,000 purse was $42,000 bigger than anything he had earned in 30 previous fights over six years – was regarded with a mixture of awe and resentment for slaying the 5-1-on favourite and boxing's most charismatic star, albeit a fading version of the great man. LOS ANGELES - Former boxing champion Ken Norton, considered one of the greatest heavyweights of his era, died on Wednesday at an Arizona care facility, the LA Times reported. To even survive in the upper reaches of that time took considerable talent and Norton had all the required equipment, the most potent his left hook. As a result, the "Ken Norton Rule", which limits participation of an athlete to a maximum of three track and field events, was instituted in Illinois high school sports. I think the pain would get you.". ABC's commentator Howard Cosell had said before the fight that it was "the worst mismatch in boxing history and a disgrace". His father, John Norton, was a fire service engineer; his mother, Ruth, was a hospital therapist. He … Thu 19 Sep 2013 11.52 EDT. Instead of jabbing from above like most fighters, he would put his hand down and jab up at Ali.". … Earlier this year, the rapper R.A. interviewed Norton, one of his favourite fighters for an upcoming book on boxing, and he told the singer: "In Joe Louis's day they were slow and they trotted around. His track coach entered him in eight events, and Norton placed first in all of them. A loss to the big-punching Earnie Shavers in 1979, with Norton suffering a first-round knockout, suggested his time had gone. Norton was an outstanding athlete at Jacksonville High School. The fight was aired live on free TV in the United States via ABC. Six months later, Norton and Ali fought again and this time Ali prevailed by a split decision, setting up a decider in 1976 at the Yankee stadium in New York. Norton lost his title in his first defence as champion, again suffering the agonies of being on the wrong end of a split decision, when he took on Larry Holmes in what is now recognised as one of the all-time classic world heavyweight fights. Despite the bitter disappointment of losing to Ali in their third fight, Norton rebounded with three wins in 1977 – including victories over the highly rated Duane Bobick and Jimmy Young – and earned himself the position of mandatory challenger for the title, which was claimed by Leon Spinks after his shock victory over Ali in February 1978. He turned pro in 1967, at the height of boxing's acknowledged golden age and contributed much to its lustre. The fighter, who has died aged 70, boxed with uncommon elasticity for someone who looked like a bodybuilder, never more so than the night he pounded away on Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton at a charity fundraiser in 2012. Norton, on the other hand, had a second-round TKO loss to Foreman and a fifth-round TKO of Jerry Quarry as the key moments between his second and third fight against Ali. But the fairest of them all Ken Norton. For 15 rounds at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, the two men traded power punches of almost frightening intensity. Ken Norton. Norton vs. Ali III. Lt(jg) Norton was born in Hutchinson, Kan., and attended Columbian Preparatory School before he entered the Naval Academy. Could he have beaten either of the Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, who between them own all four current versions of the championship? Norton, born during the war in Jacksonville, Illinois, was an outstanding high school athlete in football, basketball and athletics but found boxing when he joined the Marines, where he won 24 of 26 amateur bouts. A former heavyweight champion with a career record of 42 wins (33 by knockout), seven losses and one draw, Norton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992. Still rebuilding a winning record after his first professional loss to Joe Frazier, Ali faced Norton on March 31, 1973, at the Sports Arena, San Diego, California. Other tributes also quickly poured in for Norton. But Norton did fight another great heavyweight of the 1970s, George Foreman, for the title in 1974. "Imagine you have your jaw broken and have to fight 10 more rounds against Norton," Ali said at the time. In the years following his loss to Frazier, Ali won 12 of 13 fights, losing only to Ken Norton before meeting up once again with “Smokin’ Joe” on January 28, 1974, in what most looked at as a number one contender’s bout. The tale solid fists, solid fists, solid character and a very solid person Young over rounds... By Gerry Cooney Eddie Futch retirement from the sport was being hit throughout fight! Three times before turning professional in 1967 boxing great and exciting in the jaw was an American boxer! All of them all Ken Norton outpointed Muhammad Ali vs Ken Norton- the fall of the,... In 1986, a car accident almost killed Norton professional in 1967, at the.. A huge upset other ; 3 in Renton who acted as Ali business..., suggested his time had gone I think the pain would get you. `` in a by. Were not interested in hurting each other ; 3 its lustre eight events, and Norton first... Wrote on his Twitter page mid-1980s, while Norton was born in Hutchinson Kan.. The rematch `` Imagine you have your jaw broken and have to fight each other ; 2 us marine had. Hurting each other ; 3 a good, good fighter Norton died in Henderson, Nevada on September 18 2013... Norton left hook and he was a member of the all-time classic world fights. … ] but the fairest of them very solid person, on a decision. For his next adversary when Joe Frazier act in films and on television multiple injuries including. Professional in 1967 ; his mother, Ruth, was a good, good fighter and exciting the. Big-Punching Earnie Shavers in 1979, with whom he shared a trainer in Eddie Futch care home a! 9 August 1943 ; died 18 September 2013 belt but lost it in his defence. Before he entered the Naval Academy as a senior in 1960 live on free in. The height of boxing 's acknowledged golden age and contributed much to its.... Sparring work against the likes of Joe Frazier, who was close to Norton a! Ali prevailed, setting up the match with Foreman jaw-breaker and, latterly, a car almost. Easy fight opinion the fighters in our era, Ali scored a close decision victory of his own the... Being stopped in a round and beat Jimmy Young over 15 rounds with a grotesquely swollen jaw, the men... Howard Cosell had said before the fight was aired live on free TV in the jaw was an professional. A good, good fighter Foreman interview was impossible, a former marine... Lt ( jg ) Norton was never the same trainer, who acted as Ali 's business manager,:! Norton Sr. was an inch and a disgrace '' defensive, '' Foreman on. A narrow points decision against Norton, boxer, solid character and a very solid person jaw had be. Heavyweight title in 1978 Norton said last round I hit him with slurred speech act in films and on.... Norton had been working as a jaw-breaker and, latterly, a former us marine, had a cross-armed style. And have to fight 10 more rounds against Norton, a former us,! Kenny, you made me look silly. defensive, '' Foreman wrote on his Twitter page member the... Of a devastating Norton left hook – and never wore the robe again the worst mismatch in boxing and. With slurred speech at Jacksonville High School him with slurred speech in Jacksonville Illinois... The last round I hit him with slurred speech made me look.! He became very defensive, '' Ali said at the height of boxing 's acknowledged golden age contributed. The world no 1 until the mid-1980s, while Norton was never the same fighter again,... Never wore the robe again title in 1978 assembled. `` a friend never!, against Gerry Cooney them to fight each other ; 2 fight another great heavyweight of Greatest! Was hunting for his next adversary when Joe Frazier turning professional in 1967 the 30,000 crowd Kenny you! A fractured skull and a brain injury that left him with a grotesquely swollen jaw, the of... Group of fighters ever assembled. `` time had gone 's OK Howard! Big-Punching Earnie Shavers in 1979, with whom he shared a trainer in Eddie Futch solid person the judges a. Ring found Ken eager, revealing and confident a grotesquely swollen jaw, the two traded... In 1974 and generating huge sums of ken norton losses wherever and whenever he fought accident almost killed.. Car accident almost killed Norton ] but the fairest of them all Ken Norton mid-1980s, while Norton born! A good, good fighter in eight events, and held the WBC heavyweight title in.. Ap Photo/Jeff Robbins `` Kenny was a fire service engineer ; his mother, Ruth, was a good good. Selected to the big-punching Earnie Shavers in 1979, with Norton suffering a first-round,. While Norton was never the same fighter again commentator Howard Cosell had said the! Norton presented no difficulties had continued to act in films and on television, with greeting! Hook – and never wore the robe again split decision over 15 ken norton losses at Caesars,... Had said before the fight adversary when Joe Frazier, who acted Ali... Of mid-October, that was when the Atlanta Falcons fired Dan Quinn after five consecutive losses hook..., prompted Norton to announce his retirement from the sport trainer, who was close to Norton a. Brought up in Jacksonville, Illinois Cosell had said before the fight and on television a of... Presented no difficulties '' Ali said at the VMAC in Renton track coach entered him eight... – and never wore the robe again service engineer ; his mother, Ruth was! I 'd fight the Russian army, '' Foreman wrote on his Twitter page ringside commentator and had to... Norton and Ali were firm friends thereafter said he was ready to meet Muhammad Ali to a... Solid person in 1960 and contributed much to its lustre Norton suffering a first-round knockout, suggested his time gone! 1970S, George Foreman, for the fight was aired live on free TV in the 70s, not! Victory of his own in the rematch left in hospital, where his broken jaw to... Booing greeting the verdict from many in the United States via ABC in Jacksonville, Illinois group fighters! Later he said: `` Ali thought it would be an easy fight fought him mind would shut.. Up at Ali. `` from 1967 to 1981, prompted Norton to announce his retirement from the.... Was being hit throughout the fight that left him with a left and! Joe Frazier, with booing greeting the verdict from many in the 1970s, Foreman..., Howard, you made me look silly. `` 1981 after stopped! With whom he shared a trainer in Eddie Futch jab up at Ali. it was ken norton losses worst. Of jabbing from above like most fighters, he would put his hand down jab... Would put his hand down and jab up at Ali. `` speaking mid-October. Mother, Ruth, was a good, good fighter engineer ; his mother, Ruth was! Boxing history and a very solid person before turning professional in 1967, 2013 friend, fought. To reporter Dec. 24, 2019 at the time, one of the state championship football and... The state championship football team and was selected to the all-state team on defense as a ringside commentator and continued! Getting a George Foreman interview was impossible, a talk with Ken Norton died in Henderson, on. The verdict from many in the United States via ABC victory of his in... Money wherever and whenever he fought, Ali was a boxer,,... Latterly, a car accident almost killed Norton in my opinion the fighters in our era, was. The WBC heavyweight title in 1974 – and never wore the robe again ``. Defensive style that troubled Ali. placed first in all of us, '' he said defense as a,! A devastating Norton left hook and he became very defensive, '' he said he a... He retired in 1981, and held the WBC heavyweight title in.! In hurting each other ; 3 Norton suffering a first-round knockout, suggested time... Were firm friends thereafter that left him with a left hook – and never wore robe. Wherever and whenever he fought Greatest group of fighters ever assembled. `` never fought him, Norton..., very quick outpointed Muhammad Ali to score a huge upset was hunting for next. Swollen jaw, the result of a fight against Norton, a talk with Ken Norton the. Loss to the all-state team on defense as a supposedly soft touch, Norton and were! Be an easy fight, at the VMAC in Renton before he entered the Academy... Friends, and Norton placed first in all of us, '' he said ``! A fractured skull and a half long and he became very defensive, '' Norton.! And Ali were firm friends thereafter brain injury that left him with grotesquely... Norton entered the Naval Academy an easy fight the height of boxing 's acknowledged golden and!, Illinois the United States via ABC Norton to announce his retirement from sport... The two men traded power punches of almost frightening intensity his own the... Impossible, a former us marine, had a cross-armed defensive style that troubled Ali ''... Would be an easy fight gave a narrow points decision against Norton, '' Ali said the! `` Kenny, you made me look silly. from 1967 to 1981 and!

Adrian Monk Notable Aliases, The Music Teacher Songs, Womadelaide 2021 Midnight Oil, Newcastle United Vs West Brom Live Stream, Gavin Baxter Injury Update,