Athletes - Ken Norton

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	Athletes - Ken Norton

Kenneth Howard Norton was a heavyweight boxer from Jacksonville, Illinois. He was born on August 9, 1943. Ken was an outstanding athlete at Jacksonville High School. His track coach entered Ken in eight events and Ken placed first in five events, and second in three. As a result, the "Ken Norton Rule" was instituted in Illinois high school sports which limits participation of an athlete to a maximum of three track and field events.

Norton started boxing when he was in the United States Marine Corps. He turned professional in 1967. In 1973, Norton fought Muhammad Ali. Norton broke Ali's jaw in the early rounds and went on to win by a split decision. Six months later, Ali avenged the defeat when he beat Norton by a split decision. However, some felt Norton did enough to win the rematch.

In 1974, Norton fought George Foreman for the World Heavyweight Championship, and was stopped in two rounds. Two years later, Norton received another title shot. Norton lost by a controversial unanamous decision to Ali. Most felt Norton won the fight.

Following the Leon Spinks upset of Muhammad Ali for the championship in February, 1978, Spinks elected to fight a return bout against Ali rather than face Norton, the top contender. The World Boxing Council, which had mandated a Spinks-Norton bout for their championship, withdrew its recognition of Spinks as champion.

On March 18, 1978, the WBC made history by naming Norton its champion without benefit of a title match. The WBC stated that they considered Norton's victory over Jimmy Young, which was sanctioned by the WBC as a title eliminator, a retroactive championship match. Norton wouldn't hold onto the title for very long.

In his first defense of the WBC title, Norton and new #1 contender Larry Holmes met in a classic fight. After 15 brutal rounds, Holmes was awarded the title via an extremely close split decision.

Norton remains unique among all heavyweight champions, as he is still the only holder of a World Heavyweight Championship to have never won a single world title fight.

In 1981, Norton retired after getting knocked out in one round by Gerry Cooney. He had a record of 42-7-1. Norton went on to act in motion pictures until suffering injuries in an auto accident which resulted in temporary brain and permanent physical damage.

Norton is a member of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame, and his son, Ken Norton Jr, played American football in the NFL.

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Athletes - Ken Norton

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