Fmr. Heavyweight Champion Kenny Norton dies at 70

Ken Norton Sr., a former heavyweight boxing champion who defeated Muhammad Ali in 1973, then lost in the rematch later that year, died Wednesday at a hospital in Arizona where he had been undergoing rehabilitation since suffering a stroke last year, according to his friend and manager Patrick Tenore. Norton was 70 and had congestive heart failure.

Norton broke Ali's jaw in their initial fight, then lost at the Inglewood Forum in the rematch. Ali defeated Norton again in a decision at Yankee Stadium in New York in 1976.

In 1978, Norton won the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship when Leon Spinks chose not to fight him. He lost the title to Larry Holmes that June.

Norton finished with a record of 42-7-1 and 33 knockouts.

Kenny was a tough counter puncher,with his bent over crab like style of boxing..

Saw him in person at Ring magazines 75th Anniversary celebration in Atlantic Ciry in 1997.. He stayed to himself and I didn't see any of the other boxers talking with him..

Jake LaMotta was there too, in a orangish-pink sport coat with three 70 year old women hanging on to him ....

RIP Mr. Norton

Ken Norton was from a great heavyweight era where there was plenty of great heavies. He won the ali fight at yankee stadium. ali won maybe 3 rounds and norton just pummeled him at will. it was one of them ali decisions that were common then. the unification fight with larry holmes in 78 i believe was one for the ages. back and forth action and at the end in the 15th round they were toe to toe in the middle of the ring landing bombs. it was really close and of course holmes got the split decision. kenny lost every close decision. he was a mans man and a great fighter who gave his all always....RIP...