Ken Norton RIP

A solid fighter and smashed Ali`s jaw in half in their first fight.

Former heavyweight champion Ken Norton, who has died at the age of 70, was described as "the fairest of them all".

Norton passed away in a care facility in Arizona on Wednesday after suffering congestive heart failure, his close friend and former manager Patrick Tenore confirmed.

Norton, who had been in poor health and suffered a stroke last year, fought in the 1970s era of magnificent heavyweights - a group that also included Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Leon Spinks and Jimmy Young - and ended his career with a record of 42 wins, seven losses, one draw and 33 knockouts.

Sad news.

It was a great era for heavyweights.

R.I.P.

only 4 responses

Golden era of heavyweight boxing loses one of it's superstars

RIP

RIP...did he star in the film Mandigo?

Sorry ..Mandingo

Yes he did, with James Mason and Susan George.

Sorry to hear about his passing. He was a great fighter.

Thanks.. themightymac....thought i remembered it

You`re welcome scamp

Very sad news.  He was a very good fighter in a era of greats.  I wouldn't get out of bed to watch heavyweight boxing nowadays.  Sincerest sympathies and condolences to Ken's family and friends.  R.I.P. Ken.

Sad news,i was A Fan.

Gave Ali hell and fought a terrific fight against a near peak Larry Holmes.

RIP to a great boxer.  There wasn't much between him and Ali.

He was one tough fighter

and then got to romp with Susan George

Respect and condolences .

RIP.

I really liked Ken and his style certainly got the better of Ali in all three fights they contested in those glorious, golden years of heavyweight boxing.

I heard the news of his death early this morning on Radio5 and at one point they had some boxing correspondent from the States on who said he was one of the nicest men in boxing - ever.

He said that when people said to Ken he'd been robbed of the 2nd and 3rd decisions over Ali he always replied, "No. I did the best I could. He was better than me".

A very modest statement - as he most certainly could have gained all three decisions with different judges.

There's a nice tribute piece to him on the BBC site which gives a little flavour to the man:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/24162167

r.i.p

R.I.P. - A real "good 'un" in his time.

And agree with Pauli - heavyweight boxing is so boring these days.

I know it's easy to look back at the 60's/70's as a "golden" age but it

really was. Heavyweights these days hardly seem to move around the ring at all.

Whether it's because they are so big or not, I don't know. But most of them

look knackered after one or two rounds.