Following the major upset on March 31st in San Diego, most of the press focused on the fact that Ali had suffered a broken jaw in the bout. The ex champ also admitted that he had undertrained for Norton, and fought severely handicapped, saying his jaw was broken in the second round. Whatever the excuses were, Norton was now an overnight sensation,and Muhammad’s shot at the heavyweight title now went through Norton.
The rematch was set for September 10th at the Forum in Los Angeles. Ali trimmed 10 pounds from his 221 frame for the rematch ,and Norton dropped from 210 to 205. The fight itself was certainly not one for the ages, with Ali boxing and being more effective than the first go round. Muhammad never hurt Ken, and the evenly fought match was razor close. In the end Ali escaped with asplit decision win and, kept his title hopes and career alive. Norton didn’t miss a beat however, because despite the loss, he signed to fight champ George Foreman in March soon after. Styles make fights, and if Ali and Norton fought 10 times, every one would have been close.
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