Although his defeat to Ken Norton
had thrown a doubt over his career in a sporting sense. it
revived the interest of a flagging boxing public. Ali's rematchi
with Norton easily overshadowed George Foreman's first title
defense of his title, against Jose Roman.
Once more Muhammad Ali's pwer
to polarise opinion galvanised fight fans. He began a conerted
campaign of hype: "Is he still the fastest and most beautiful
man in the world." he shouted. "Or is he growing
old or slow? I took a nobody and created a monster. Now I
have to punish him bad.."
Back at training camp Ali whipped
himself back into the shape he was in for the fight with Frazier.
He now understood what he faced when the time came to re-enter
the ring. He bagan to work out a way to beat Ken Norton. It
was one of Muhammad Ali's great gifts as a boxer - he would
never lose a rematch with an opponent who had beaten him.
Ali began the fight well, although
he still found the style of Ken Norton awkward. Norton was
most vulnerable to big punchers who could force him backwards.
Ali built up a points lead but had not been able to nail Norton
enough to slow him down. Throughout the later rounds of the
fight Norton came back at Ali, eating into his lead. As the
final round began, the boxers were level on the scorecards.
Ali abandoned his stick and move style and stood trading with
Norton for the last three minutes. Ali clearly won the round
and got the decision.
Watch Muhammad Ali Boxing Video
from the second Ken Norton fight:
