RIP Ken Norton

this thread to pass on the sad news and pay respect to Ken Norton who has passed away at the age of 70. One of few men whoever beat Ali in his prime. Was WBC champion in 1977 after Spinks chose to fight Ali in a re - match rather than defend against Ken.
Ken fought Ali three times. In the first fight with Ali, Ken broke Ali's jaw before going on to win on a split decision. Their third fight is remembered for the controversial split in Ali's when many thought Ken had done enough to win.

He was a great boxer during an era of great boxers...
Ken had been ill for a while. He died of a heart attack

I think after he'd broken Ali's jaw Ken visited him in hospital and Ali said to him that he never wanted to fight him again. Thing was at the time of their first fight, very few pundits gave him much of a chance against Ali who was looking for a way back to regaining the title from Frazier.

RIP ""CHAMP"

A great boxer who never really got the recognition he deserved. R.I.P. Ken.

R.I.P a great era of boxing starts to close

Great thread by the OP - only just noticed it now.

RIP absolutely!!

Great fighter, always been underrated and slightly overlooked in my opinion because of the great era he was in. Obviously Ali, Frazier and Foreman all jump out at you first BUT you had to be a great just to compete in that era! And that he was.

RIP Champ.

Ken was a brilliant boxer one of the best ever to fight Ali. R.I.P Ken Norton