Ken Norton will be remembered as one of the best heavyweights ever
OPINION - Norton competed in one of the most competitive eras of boxing and found much success, while pushing arguably, one of the best heavyweights ever...
“Kenny’s style is too difficult for me. I can’t beat him, and I sure don’t want to fight him again. I honestly thought he beat me in Yankee Stadium, but the judges gave it to me, and I’m grateful to them.” — Muhammad Ali
The above quote was humbly stated, uncharacteristically by the always-boastful Ali. That confession seemed quite ironic coming from a man who proclaimed himself as “The Greatest,” but Ali once made that admission in a candid interview with Mark Cronin in October of 1976. The “Kenny” that Ali is respectfully referring to is former heavyweight champion Ken Norton.
Norton gave Ali a combined 39 rounds of “too close for comfort” competition in the three fights in which they faced each other. Of their trilogy, Norton and Ali split the first two bouts and in the rubber match that took place in Yankee Stadium, the judges awarded Muhammad the controversial — and many years later, still disputed — victory. The famous boxing theory that “styles make fights” proved valid in the Norton vs. Ali three-part series. It was Norton’s unconventional, crab-crouching stance and swarming aggression that kept Ali in “hot water” in all three fights.
The unorthodox cross-armed defensive style that Norton executed made it very difficult for Ali to target, penetrate, and land anything effective. In fact, during their first fight in 1973, Norton earned the nickname “The Jaw Breaker” by fracturing Ali’s in the second round. Just as all of his fights with Ali went the distance, Norton penned the quote which personified and summarized their battles, how he approached everything, and which we could all apply: “Whatever you do in life, always go the distance.”
Norton compiled an impressive lifetime record of 42 wins with 33 knock outs, only seven losses and one draw. He also fought former champs George Foreman and Larry Holmes as well as top contender Earnie Shavers during his career, to all of whom Norton didn’t pose as much difficulty as he did Ali. Ken was named Fighter of the Year in 1977 and inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1989.
A gifted athlete who also excelled in track and field, Norton earned a football scholarship to Northeast Missouri State University. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1963, where he first started boxing. After capturing three All-Marine heavyweight titles, Norton picked-up his first moniker, “The Fighting Marine.”
Outside the ring, Norton did well in Hollywood by landing guest starring slots on many popular ’80’s TV shows, such as The A-Team and Knight Rider. Keeping in line with his career as a prizefighter, Norton was first offered the role of Apollo Creed in the blockbuster feature Rocky, but had to pull out before production began. Due to his muscular physique, Norton, whom many also referred to as “The Black Hercules” was cast in his most notable acting role, as a Mandinka slave-turned warrior in the 1975 cult-classic, Mandingo and its sequel, Drum.
Norton competed in one of the most competitive eras of boxing and found much success, while pushing arguably one of the best heavyweights ever, Muhammad Ali, to the limit. Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson said via Twitter in his honor, “Ken Norton was always nice to me even when I was just an amateur. He always treated me like I was somebody; a remarkable man.”
The legacy that he leaves will continue to fight on. Rest in peace, Ken Norton! Thank you for all of the unforgettable moments and your impact on the sport.
