Boxing Memorabilia > Boxing Autographs >
Ken Norton Boxing Autograph
Sports illustrated Magazine Signed by Ken
Norton former Heavyweigh Champion of the World.
Ken Norton
£25.00
Ken "The Black Hercules" Norton was a well regarded
heavyweight contender for the title in the 1970s. He was
an ex marine and is well known for his win over Muhammad
Ali although many felt Norton was hard done by in their
two other bouts. In the first bout Norton broke Ali's jaw
in the early rounds and went on to win a Unanimous Decision.
The other two bouts, Norton lost on points. Norton also
fought George Foreman and was stopped in two rounds. Then
he was stopped by hard hitting Earnie Shavers in one round.
Norton nonetheless kept as a top contender.
Following Leon Spinks victory over Muhammad Ali for the
world championship in February, 1978, Spinks elected to
fight a return bout against Ali rather than face Norton.
The World Boxing Council, which had mandated a Spinks-Norton
bout for their championship, withdrew its recognition of
Spinks as champion.
On March 18, 1978, the WBC made history by
naming Norton its champion without benefit of a title match.
The WBC stated that they considered Norton's victory over
Jimmy Young a 'retroactive championship match'). Norton
wouldn't hold onto the title for very long.
In his first 'defense' of the WBC title, Norton
and new #1 contender Larry Holmes met in what many consider
a classic fight. After 15 of what many consider brutal rounds,
Holmes was awarded the title via an extremely close split
decision.
