,Kenneth Howard Norton Sr., was born born on August, 1943 in Jacksonville, Illinois. He was an outstanding athlete in high school, and enlisted in the United States Marines Corps after two years at Northeast Missouri State University. He served from 1963 until 1967, and it was there that he discovered boxing. He compiled a record of 24-2, and won three all-Marine heavyweight titles.
Ken turned pro on November 14, 1967, and stopped Grady Brazell in five in San Diego. He also won all five of his bouts in 1968, four by knockout. In 1969, he fought six times, and won all six by TKO, as the decade of the seventies dawned.
The muscular young fighter would step into the ring eight times in 1970, but lost for the first time on July 2 by in an 8th round knockout to Joe Luis Garcia at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. He rebounded, and won his last three fights that year, as well as all four of his bouts in 1971. Norton was also a sparring partner for the heavyweight champ Joe Frazier, and was learning every day from him as well.
After six victories in 1972, Ken finally got the break he was looking for when Muhammad Ali agreed to fight him on March 31, 1973 at the San Diego Sports Arena. I remember that day particularly well because I had struck out three times in a spring baseball practice game, and went home that Saturday afternoon sullen and sad. Even at that young age, boxing got my mind off my troubles when I turned on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and happened across the fight. I had always liked Ali, knew nothing about Norton, but tuned in to catch the action anyway.
The bought is famous mostly for the reason that Ali had his jaw broken in the second round. Despite that and the fact the hadn’t trained like he should have, Ali showed grit and courage, but was outfought and outboxed by the unknown Norton. I was shocked to see Muhammad lose that day, as were millions around the world. The split-decision went to the muscular, good looking Norton, and the heavyweight division had a new face on the scene.
Talks of a rematch began as soon as the fight was over, but Ken was determined to and did enjoy the win. What happened when they did fight again determine if this was a fluke, or if he was a legitimate contender for George Foreman’s heavyweight belt.
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