Ken Norton, the former heavyweight boxing champion from the 1970s died today. He was 70 years old.
Norton was a better fighter, IMHO, than he is generally given credit for. He beat Muhammad Ali when he broke his jaw in 1973. He also had one of the best fights I've ever seen (on tape) when he fought Larry Holmes (and lost).
The fight with Holmes was one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time. I wasn't in high school yet and I loved both fighters. I was as sorry for Noas I was happy for Holmes, who was viewed as a hometown boy, having his first several pro bouts in Scranton.
IMy first thought of Norton is how he was robbed in 1976 on the third bout with Ali in Yankee Stadium.
