Former heavyweight champion Ken Norton, who broke the jaw of Muhammad Ali in their first ring battle, won the NABF heavyweight title with a split decision on March 31, 1973 in his hometown of San Diego, dropped a split decision in a rematch on September 10, 1973 and in their third meeting lost what many considered a controversial decision in a title fight at Yankee Stadium in New York on September 28, 1976, has passed away.
Norton who was 70 had been in poor health for some years now after suffering a series of strokes.
WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman visited Norton in a Las Vegas Hospital in October last year and handed the former heavyweight champion the coveted WBC green and gold belt.
At that time Sulaiman told the Manila Standard that Norton ?is happily recovering and has left the Intensive Care Unit and is being moved to a room min the hospital. I am very happy for this.?
The WBC president said Norton?s wife ?represented him well? at the Hublot ? WBC Legends affair which raised $1 million for former boxers who have come upon hard times.
Twelve Hublot Legends watches were auctioned at the affair and a watch with Norton?s image was auctioned for $60,000.
Sulaiman's son and WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman said Don Jose visited Norton and handed him the WBC belt and "gave him words of encouragement in a difficult time."
The WBC has declared three days of mourning in the boxing world in tribute to a great champion who often attended WBC Conventions and was always gracious.
Norton was in Manila in 1975 and was part of the television panel that covered the famed ?Thrilla in Manila? at the Araneta Coliseum on October 1. He worked the fights with veteran anchor Don Dunphy, comedian Flip Wilson and actor Hugh O? Brian.
The tough ex-marine won a heavyweight title eliminator by a 15th round split decision over Jimmy Young on November 5, 1977 and was later declared champion by the WBC after the title was declared vacant. Norton returned to the ring on June 9, 1978 and lost a split decision in a ferocious battle with Larry Holmes with the final round regarded as one of the most memorable in heavyweight boxing history.
The WBC reported that Norton showed an ?incredible fighting spirit. Its sheer greatness brought the audiences to its feet. It was breathtaking and cannot be justified by mere words. Many considered it the greatest single round in boxing history. It defined Ken Norton as a man.?
In his last fight Norton was knocked out in the 1st round by ?The Great White Hope? Gerry Cooney at New York?s famed Madison Square Garden to end with a career record of 42-7-1 with 33 knockouts.
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