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Ken Norton Dead: Former Muhammad Ali Rival, Heavyweight Boxing Champion Dies At

On_da_Corna

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LAS VEGAS — Former heavyweight champion Ken Norton, who beat Muhammad Ali and then lost a controversial decision to him in Yankee Stadium, died Wednesday at a local care facility, his son said. He was 70.
Norton had been in poor health for the last several years after suffering a series of strokes, a friend of the fighter said.
"He's been fighting the battle for two years," said Gene Kilroy, Ali's former business manager. "I'm sure he's in heaven now with all the great fighters. I'd like to hear that conversation."
Norton broke Ali's jaw in their first bout, beating him by split decision in 1973 in a non-title fight in San Diego. They fought six months later, and Ali narrowly won a split decision.
They met for a third time on Sept. 28, 1976, at Yankee Stadium and Ali narrowly won to keep his heavyweight title.
Norton would come back the next year to win a heavyweight title eliminator and was declared champion by the World Boxing Council. But on June 9, 1978, he lost a bruising 15-round fight to Larry Holmes in what many regard as one of boxing's epic heavyweight bouts and would never be champion again.
Norton finished with a record of 42-7-1 and 33 knockouts. He would later embark on an acting career, appearing in several movies, and was a commentator at fights.
Norton started boxing when he was in the Marines, and began his pro career after his release from duty in 1967. He lost only once in his early fights but had fought few fighters of any note when he was selected to meet Ali. At the time, Ali was campaigning to try to win back the heavyweight crown he lost to Joe Frazier in 1973.
Few gave Norton, who possessed a muscular, sculpted body, much of a chance against Ali in the fight, held at the Sports Arena in San Diego, where Norton lived. But his awkward style and close-in pressing tactics confused his opponent and Norton broke Ali's jaw on the way to the decision that put him in the top echelon of heavyweight fighters.


Ken Norton Dead: Former Muhammad Ali Rival, Heavyweight Boxing Champion Dies At 70
 

manny

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I remember him as the one who broke Ali's jaw.....which during my time was considered amazing......
 

slimslim

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Rochelle1983

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He was an actor too. He was in the movie Mandingo and Drum w/Pam Grier. He was in other movies too. Was a very good looking black man!!!!
 

sassyfas

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He always conducted himself like a man. He will be missed.
 

Kenyata_1961

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Out here on the west coast (San Diego), a friend who worked as a print journalist said the end was near at the end of last year, but I guess rallied somewhat.

I remember that fight he had vs Ali as a teen. We were all shocked that he broke Ali's jaw, but Ali's jaw was swollen very badly. He was a very good boxer and an even better businessman.

May he RIP...
 

On_da_Corna

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Out here on the west coast (San Diego), a friend who worked as a print journalist said the end was near at the end of last year, but I guess rallied somewhat.

I remember that fight he had vs Ali as a teen. We were all shocked that he broke Ali's jaw, but Ali's jaw was swollen very badly. He was a very good boxer and an even better businessman.

May he RIP...
He had a heart attack late last year. Somehow he pulled through.
 

Vera Donovan

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Oh sh!t, that's dude from Mandingo and Drum. R.I.P.
 

Maxine Shaw

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Dude was awesome, along with his son for the Cowboys. RIP, Mr. Norton.
 

E=PC2

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Badou Jack ‏@BadouJack 35s
RIP to the legend Ken Norton!



Rip to the legend. God Bless him and family!! Very sad.
 

Big Red

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Out here on the west coast (San Diego), a friend who worked as a print journalist said the end was near at the end of last year, but I guess rallied somewhat.

I remember that fight he had vs Ali as a teen. We were all shocked that he broke Ali's jaw, but Ali's jaw was swollen very badly. He was a very good boxer and an even better businessman.

May he RIP...

I remember it too . LOL we are dating ourselves. Did him and his sone ever make up?
 

sugarzee

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RIP....Remember him in Mandingo plus injuring Ali in a match. On the lighter side, grandma from the movie the "Nutty Professor: Klumps loved Ken Norton
 

hernanday

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strange that someone who was once so fit would have a stroke
 

shellyk84

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RIP Ken Norton a great boxer and a great Father.

Ken and Tina Turner Vegas 1977

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sundaybest

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RIP....Remember him in Mandingo plus injuring Ali in a match. On the lighter side, grandma from the movie the "Nutty Professor: Klumps loved Ken Norton
I am (still) watching the PBS 4 part documentary on Muhammad Ali. They did a short clip on the Ken Norton vs Ali fights. Which is why I LSA 'googled' Ken Norton. To see if y'all had any real tea on Ken Norton. lol I remember his name so well from Grandma Klump. When I saw this Ali documentary, I thought, 'Eddie Murphy is right. Ken Norton is good looking!'

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