Ken Norton American boxer Date of Birth: 09.08.1943 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Amateur Boxing Career
2. Professional Boxing Career and Victory over Muhammad Ali
3. Rematches and Title Fights
4. Retirement and Later Life

Early Life and Amateur Boxing Career

Ken Norton was born in Jacksonville, Illinois. He was active in football and basketball during his school years and received a football scholarship to Northeast Missouri State University. However, a shoulder injury forced him to temporarily give up sports. He then joined the Marine Corps and developed a passion for boxing. Norton had a successful amateur boxing career, winning 24 out of 26 fights and becoming a three-time champion of the Marine Corps heavyweight division.

Professional Boxing Career and Victory over Muhammad Ali

Norton turned professional in 1967 and won his first 16 fights. His first defeat came from Jose Luis Garcia, who knocked him out. After this loss, Norton read Napoleon Hill's book 'Think and Grow Rich,' which had a profound impact on him. He developed a new training program that included both physical and mental preparation. Norton analyzed recordings of his victories and defeats as well as his potential opponents. In 1973, Norton achieved his most famous victory by defeating Muhammad Ali in a 12-round match for the North American Boxing Federation championship. Despite being seen as the underdog, Norton surprised everyone with his unique punching style and won the fight by decision, even breaking Ali's jaw.

Rematches and Title Fights

Ali and Norton had a rematch just six months later, and this time Ali won by decision. In 1974, Norton faced previously undefeated George Foreman for the WBC and WBA heavyweight titles. Unfortunately, Norton was knocked out in the second round. In 1975, Norton defeated Jerry Quarry in five rounds to retain his NABF crown. He then had a rematch with Jose Luis Garcia, whom he convincingly defeated. In September 1976, Ali and Norton fought for the third time, with Ali winning by unanimous decision and retaining his WBC and WBA titles. In 1977, Norton knocked out Duane Bobick in the first round and defeated Jimmy Young by decision in a 15-round fight, earning him the right to challenge for the WBC championship.

Retirement and Later Life

Norton was supposed to fight either Ali or Leon Spinks, who had defeated Ali for the WBC title. However, Spinks was not interested in facing Norton. In 1978, Norton attempted to defend his title against Larry Holmes but was unsuccessful. He briefly retired from boxing but returned in 1980 to fight against Tex Cobb, who was considered unbeatable at the time. Norton then faced Gerry Cooney, the best WBC and WBA fighter, in 1981 and was knocked out in the first round. This fight marked Norton's last boxing match. After retiring, Norton returned to football and even tried his hand at acting. He passed away on September 18, 2013, at the age of 70.