Kenneth Howard Norton

Famously known for his heavyweight boxing victory over Muhammad Ali in 1973, Ken Norton Senior passed away in Arizona on September 18, 2013. It was only Ali’s second defeat, and Norton broke Ali’s jaw in the process. Ken fought Ali twice more, losing narrowly to him each time, but he remains one of the greats of heavyweight boxing from the ‘70s. Ken was the WBC champion in 1978, but lost the title in an epic 15-round bout with Larry Holmes, which is considered one of the greatest fights of all-time.
 

Ken retired from boxing in 1981. He finished his career 42-7-1, which included 33 knockouts. After his retirement, he went on to work as a radio sports commentator, and Ken also appeared in several TV series, including The A-Team and Knight Rider. In 1986, Ken had a near-fatal car accident, which left him with slow and slurred speech, and virtually ended his public appearances and media career.
 

An outstanding athlete, Ken started his habit of winning early, playing on the all-state football team during his high school career, and winning eight track and field events at the same time. After his sweeping track and field wins, Illinois instituted the “Ken Norton Rule,” which limits athletes to participating in a maximum of three track and field events. After graduating high school, Ken attended Northeast Missouri State University on a football scholarship. He joined the United States Marine Corps from 1963 to 1957, where he began boxing and compiled a 24-2 record and claimed three All-Marine Heavyweight titles. He turned professional in 1967.
 

Ken’s unconventional style, his epic battles with other heavyweight greats, and his winning record have netted him a series of awards and recognitions. In 1989, he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1992, he was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 2004 saw him inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008, he became an inductee into the WBC Hall of Fame. Ken has been ranked 22 on a list of “The 50 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time,” and has received several awards and noteworthy mentions for his success and positive attitude.
 

Ken is survived by his wife, Rose Conant, his sons Ken Jr., Keith and Kenny John, and his daughter Kenisha.