Ken Norton Succumbs To The Final Knockout
 

Dead at age 70.

Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. (August 9, 1943 - September 18, 2013) was an American former heavyweight boxer and former WBC world Heavyweight Champion. He was best known for his 12-round victory over Muhammad Ali, when he famously broke Ali's jaw, on March 31, 1973, becoming only the second man to defeat a peak Ali as a professional (after Joe Frazier, who won a 15-round unanimous decision against Ali on March 8, 1971).

Ken Norton was twice voted "Father of the Year" by the Los Angeles Sentinel and the Los Angeles Times in 1977.[33][38] To quote Norton from his biography, Believe: Journey From Jacksonville: "Of all the titles that I've been privileged to have, the title of 'dad' has always been the best." [39]

His son, Ken Norton Jr, played football at UCLA and had a long successful career in the NFL. In tribute to his father's boxing career, Ken Jr. would strike a boxing stance in the end zone each time he scored a defensive touchdown and throw a punching combination at the goalpost pad. He is now the linebackers' coach for the Seattle Seahawks.

One of my favorite print ads was a full page ad in Sports Illustrated. It was a closeup of a very pumped, sweat covered Ken Norton jumping rope. The ad caption was "Only Sissies Jump Rope"

At the bottom of the ad in small print was the American Heart Association logo.


RIP Champ


.

He was an amazing boxer and a great character. Athletic, hard hitting, with major reach. The golden era of boxing wouldn't be what it was without him.

R.I.P.

he was a legend

Champion boxer and a good man...



RIP Ken Norton, Sr. :(

:stoned

ADG

From?

70 is too young to go these days.


I watched the Norton-Ali fight live on TV when I was a kid. Was always a big Ali fan but Norton really showed up for a scrap that day.

RIP.