Ken Norton Former WBC World Heavyweight Champion Boxer Exclusive Celebrity Interview

[DaMediaKing718j]

In fact, Norton beating Ali is his single greatest accomplishment in the ring. Name one other opponent that Norton has faced who was worthy that he defeated...No one! Foreman beat him, Ernie Shavers beat and Holmes beat him! But Ali defeated everyone that crushed Ken Norton.

So I believe that he fought Ali as hard as he did because in Norton's mind, defeating Ali means that he defeated the others as well. He beat the man, who beat the men, who beat him. Frazier would have destroyed Norton too!

[bethoveenzeyad]

@DaMediaKing718j

why people always forget for ali was OUT HIS PRIME IN ALL 70s , ali

stop boxing 3 years 1967-1970 not only stop boxing he stop sport also

in that 3 years , so when ali come back in 1970 hes not same ali in 60s

ali was champion in 1964 with liston when norton-frazier-forman was little boys

[DaMediaKing718j]

I don't think Ken Norton really had Ali's number. I believe that it was more so his awkward style that Ali really had trouble adapting to. Pretty much how Randolph Turpin gave Sugar Ray Robinson trouble due to his awkward style.

Ali was definitely the better fighter scientifically. In fact, the only reason Norton is in the boxing history books among the greats is because of his defeat of Ali...not necessarily because of skill or great boxing accomplishments by defeating worthy opponents.

[artkent]

He had Ali's number. Many people think he actually beat Ali at least 2 out of the 3 times they fought, maybe all 3.

[tlig]

It's weird seeing him described as heavyweight champion; somehow I never really see him as such. I know he briefly held the WBC title but somehow I cannot really see him as a former heavyweight champ.

[timpenfield5]

1 OF THE BEST SPORTSMAN EVER

[joeysmokey]

I actually had the privillage recently of meeting Ken with Leon Spinks and Ernie Shavers in Las Vegas. True warriors and total gentleman.  It was a great experience.

[GalickGun5078]

@joeysmokey Lucky bastard...lol.

[MrEwant1980]

@joeysmokey I met the three of them in that shop also, Shavers and Norton were great guys, Spinks was next door queuing up for Mexican, got a signed glove off both of them. Holyfield was there also one afternoon.

[tlig]

@joeysmokey Could you make out anything they said?

[bethoveenzeyad]

we love you norton

[GalickGun5078]

I want to meet Ken Norton, his defense was one of the best defenses I have ever seen.

[timpenfield5]

@GalickGun5078 DO U THINK HOLYFIELD COPIED HID DEFENCE.always thought they fought the same way.

[rtfuhj]

he's a mandingo

[tiger2995]

Most people simply wouldn't have survived the car accident Ken had.....he is a classic warrior and is even more mentally tough that physically. His attitude to life pulled him through. He has much to teach, and is not simply a boxer.

[TheOCTAVIUS72]

I love Ken Norton. He is a legend in my book. Heavyweight boxing was great during his time.

[Will84ABA]

Kenny Norton I love you!

[6suicidal6]

You would be a heavyweight champ if you around today ken!!

[millscc1]

I know Kenny. He is an EXCELLENT and nice person. He went through so much. Whenever I see him, he and I will put our fists in front of each other. He and I are the same height, and his fist are almost twice as big as mine. You can see it in his eyes what he's gone through. An amazingly strong and down to earth man. Luv you Ken!!!

[vgr112261]

Kenny is a good man. In my opinion, his classic fight was against Larry Holmes, not Ali. He was great that night, even though he didn't get the decision.

[pepafur]

Ken Norton was not injured boxing, His brain Truama was from a car accident, many years after his boxing career.

[BloodDash07]

Ken Norton is an amazing man. I met and spoke to him about boxing and he's a very humble man. Such a great heart and always just wanting to help out. He's truly amazing.

[truebeliever786]

Kenny Norton is a true legend and I love him...

[BigCity80]

Ken Norton is a class man and a credit to boxing. As for the comments regarding Norton's speech, The Los Angeles Times reported that Norton’s speech was affected by his near-fatal car accident, not boxing. After Norton retired from boxing he was still very articulate and worked as a sports announcer and for the Sports Illustrated Speakers Bureau until his car accident. [See article: Ken Norton Is Now Fighting Back - Former Champ Is Learning to Talk Again After 1986 Car Accident, 12/26/1987].

[theMadH8r]

man if you don't believe the harm boxing has on a persons body, the damage it causes and the effects thereof, then take a look at the great boxers of the past and you'll notice that most of them seem "slow" Ali, Tommy hearns, Frasier, Ken Norton, etc. shame becaue they all seem like genuinely nice people

[BigCity80]

Regarding the previous post, Norton actually won the WBC title in the ring by virtue of his win over Jimmy Young in 1977. When Leon Spinks didn't honor a commitment to defend the title against Norton, the WBC stripped Spinks of the belt. Norton's WBC title-elimination bout with Young was declared a title bout by the WBC, effective when Spinks elected to fight Ali instead of #1 challenger Ken Norton. Norton was a "logical champion". Norton also was a two-time NABF Heavyweight Champion.

[hotrodd29]

Why is norton being introduced as a "2 time heavyweight champion"? When in reality he is in the history books as the only man to be champion and NEVER win a heavyweight title fight

[EVILSPAWN1000]

I`m ashamed to say i didn`t know ANYTHING of Nortons hardships outside the ring.I know i have always felt "sorry"? 4 him as a "ALMOST,but not quite-fighter".He fought in a era with the best fighter in history.ANYONE of the top tier heavyweights from the 70`s would have NO problem bitchslapping ANY of 2days generation of "top" heavyweights.Klitchko(both of them) Haye,Valuev(gone,thank God)?Its a disgrace! But ofcourse this isn`t news to anyone....... :P

[truebeliever786]

0:11 Ken Norton

Former WBA World Heavyweight Champion.

That's not true. He was WBC.

[spactick]

Norton was an is a class guy.

[paulaalison]

jack dempsey would have biten them all

champion of champions my men frank james the outlaw

[spactick]

@paulaalison no disrespect of the great Jack Dempsey,but he wouldn't even be a heavy weight today. LHW or cruiser weight is where he would be fighting. In those divisions? probably your right.

[BigCity80]

This interview will inspire anyone who has ever been discouraged, afflicted or had difficulties to overcome. Ken Norton discussed his boxing career and how he handled severe adversity from a near-fatal car accident in 1986. Norton stressed the importance of faith in God, positive thinking and believing in yourself to achieve goals. Norton shared that he has been inspired by Napoleon Hill's book [Think and Grow Rich] as well.

[BigCity80]

Ken Norton is a warrior. His persistence to overcome severe adversity from a near-fatal car accident reminds me of one of the songs in the Rocky movies. A line in the song says, "In the warrior's code there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries NEVER!'" If you have ever been discouraged, if you have had difficulties to overcome, if you have ever been in a state of affliction, remember how Ken Norton handled adversity.

[BigCity80]

Ken Norton is a class man and a credit to boxing. As for the comments regarding Norton's speech, The Los Angeles Times reported that Norton’s speech was affected by his near-fatal car accident, not boxing. After Norton retired from boxing he was still very articulate and worked as a sports announcer and for the Sports Illustrated Speakers Bureau until his car accident. [See article: Ken Norton Is Now Fighting Back - Former Champ Is Learning to Talk Again After 1986 Car Accident, 12/26/1987].

[bandit7498]

There's only one thing that can be done to improve the American pro heavyweight scene and that's promote the amateur heavyweight scene. Step up the amateur tournaments and sign up some of the big boys and put them in with quality trainers. It all starts with the amateurs. Cut them out and we lose all the good pro heavyweights.

[funktron4]

The speech impairment is from his car accident, which almost killed him, not from boxing. Based on how he's answering these questions, he still has his wits about him.

[expressivechild]

He is Hercules indeed. By probability's logic he should have died or end up crippled long ago. It's amazing he is fairly healthy despite what he been through in life, his speech is slurred but no big deal! He had lots of heart!

[whothehellgivesadamn]

NORTON WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY ATHLETE IN HIS YOUTH. NOT JUST A BOXER. I WONDER, IF HE HAD NOT PURSUED A CAREER AS A BOXER AND JUST REMAINED AS SAY A TEACHER AND A MARINE OR WHATEVER, HE MIGHT HAVE LIVED HIS LIFE IN PERFECT PHYSICAL CONDITION. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIS LIFE OR HIS AUTO ACCIDENT, IM JUST CONJECTURING ABOUT THE SACRIFICES THESE PEOPLE MAKE WHEN THEY GO INTO THE RING TOE TO TOE WITH THE GREATEST FIGHTERS IN THEIR BUSINESS AND THEN COMPOUND THAT DANGER WITH DRIVING AUTOMOBILES.

[amck72]

WOW he has serious speech issues. I saw him back in 1995 in Vegas, he looked much younger and huge

[onlyjoetee]

almost all fighters lives end up in tragedy one way or another......

[EdMagikTV]

@onlyjoetee I have attended several events for retired boxers. Most of the ones I saw were doing well into thier 70s, 80s, and 90s.. I suppose that a boxer's health later in life is based upon the seriousness of the injuries they have had earlier in life. No doubt that boxing/fighting is risky compared say a sports announcer.

[onlyjoetee]

@EdMagikTV and its not even just the health or the wealth,its life in general,a lot of shit tends to happen to ex fighters than most others,women problems etc,the fighters story almost always seems destined for tragedy of some sort at the end.Seems like very few end up all well.If its not the health,they're broke or bums or drus or bad women or this or that etc

[BoxerRankings]

@EdMagikTV Ken Norton was involved in a near fatal car accident in '86. After the accident he had slured speech due to brain damage from the accident.

[BrooklynSal]

@BoxerRankings I'm not sure, but I think his voice box was also damaged in the accident.

[airkooled05]

@BoxerRankings I am real sorry to hear this . I didnt know . I am saddened by this old news that is just reaching me . Life is a mother

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

I thin the new era fighter are doing very well. Since the fights are 12 rounds are fighters gotta make CTs to get licenses the arent suffering from brain damage so much. Lewis, Tyson, Sugar R Leonard, Marvin Hagler to name a few goin to their 50s and 60s and are still healthy as hell

[onlyjoetee]

@Ahmet1445 its not just the physical damage even,historically you'll notice,most boxers,the end of the road is usually not good one way or another.very very few of them go into the sunset all ok.Check this historically you'll see its true.to be a fighter is almost a tragedy in itself!!!!

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

I think i really didnt understand what you mean

I mean that it is in nearly all individual sports like that, e.g Tennis, only the top 20 makes that kind of big money and gotta good life, the rest can barely pay the flight tickets, trainers and bills. Or Wintersports, the same or Racesports. You gotta be the best to have succes, most of the ordinary talented athletes in those sports got a job to live. It is not just Boxing.

Team sports is different, you dont have to be the

[onlyjoetee]

@Ahmet1445 its amazing how many fighters end up drunks junkies bums etc,that very rarely happens in other sports,even if they dont end up with a lot of money,i think the end is usually worse for boxers!!and thats even apart from the dementure brain damage etc.There is just something more tragic about boxing itself than other sports.maybe because its also the most heroic of all the sports

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

Look, the reason why some Boxers and as junkies etc is that at least 80% of the boxers come from a poor/criminal neighbourhood without college education etc, Golf or Tennis professionals are or most of them got rich or at least middle-clas families and most of them got a school education. Did you ever see a Tennis court in a poor district? But there are tons of Boxing Gyms out there. And after all is said and done, after the Boxing career is over, alot of boxer het back to their

[onlyjoetee]

@Ahmet1445 i think the de la hoya's and Leonards are the exception,George's fortune also came outside boxing.But the vast majority i think end up tragic one way or another.There are several reasons for this.Most fighters come from tragic backgrounds to begin with,and have a lot of tragedy even during their career even when they're rich its tragic rich!!sad thing.Its like the rocky story,from bum to hero back to bum!!thats most fighters usually!

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

I think that the diffrence in Boxing is, that if you are a hot boxing prospect, you wont be prepared for the succes and the fame..you are surrounded by a bunch of non educated trainer( not all) and promoter. If you are a basketball talent, you get in a good high school and afterwards to a great college/university and in all this years, you get prepared for the life as a pro by educated men. I think thats the difference why most of the Basketball/football pros can handle the fame

[onlyjoetee]

@Ahmet1445 perhaps you're right,but i think things are getting better now.The 21st century will be better for boxers,when i see guys like Pacquiao,it gives me a lot of hope for boxers in general

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

yeah but the sad thing is that the public has turned away from boxing. And after Pacquaio and May retire it will be worse....it is sad because Boxing is such a great sport with a touching history..

[onlyjoetee]

@Ahmet1445 Nah,boxings been here 150 years,there are always good fighters coming up.The heavyweight scene is dead at the moment,but the welterweight scene is still great,im not worried about the sport,it will be ok.Forget Floyd,no one cares about him anymore,there are always more fighters

[EdMagikTV]

@onlyjoetee I have an interview with Henry Tillman. He will explain what he's doing to bring heavyweight boxing back to the USA.

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

Part 2

..basics. The have no other options, cant hardly find a job. Thats the reason why they end up like junkies. But clever boxers who made good investigations with those huge paydays are still well, for example DeLaHoya (now the bigest Promoter in the game) or Foreman ( made 187 Million Dollar with the lean mean grilling machine) and so on....so it all belongs to the person himself. I dont feel sorry for guys like Tyson and Frazier who made millions and couldn handle it

[Ahmet1445]

@onlyjoetee

part 2

the best to make good money, in the NBA are at least 400 athletes making huge money. You dont have to be perfect to win championships etc.

[BeatleJim55]

He was WBC Champ in 1978

[JackKangaroo1]

No shit, this is sad to see. I had always thought that Kenny Norton had escaped the fate of Ali, Gerry Quarry, Joe Frasier and other boxers who suffered too many head punches and the brain damage that results but, Jesus, the poor guy can barely talk anymore. Did he get run over by a bus or something too?

[pnutbutrncrackers]

MAN! This is just PAINFUL to watch! I like Kenny. Whether what I'm seeing is b/c of his years in boxing or his car accident, IT'S SAD!

[Peterh588]

I used to date a girl who referred to Norton as 'that very handsome man'. He had a great physique too. He should have gotten out of boxing and into films before he got hurt. I know he's been through a lot more after that. I feel so sorry for these great athletes who get torn apart after their careers end. Much as I love boxing it should be banned. But God bless Ken Norton. He beat Ali fair and square.

[expressivechild]

Ken Norton was a true legend. His battles are not only in the ring. People remember him most for beating Ali and breaking his legendary jaw, but sadly also his two devastating defeats at the hands of the two hardest hitting heavyweights - Shavers and Foreman.For me, he is definitely one of the greatest!

[blognewb]

Is he the Mandingo man

[cjblood59]

@blognewb yeah

[Ghstwn]

Mostly it's sad that this interviewer Pete Allman was so uninformed that he embarrasses himself by introducing someone as significant and respected as Kenny Norton as a "Two time Heavyweight Champion" When Kenny never even won the title in the Ring. It was given to him when Spinks refused to fight him, and rematched Ali instead. DUH! $500K or $4000K? Kenny is a good man, mostly damaged from his terrible accident. Ya gotta read to really know. Nice to hear him still recalling. ;)

[BigCity80]

@Ghstwn Ken Norton won the WBC title in the ring by virtue of his win over Jimmy Young. When Leon Spinks didn't honor a commitment to defend the title against Norton, the WBC stripped Spinks of the belt. Norton's WBC title-elimination bout with Young was considered a retroactive title bout by the WBC, effective when Spinks elected to fight Ali instead a mandatory defense versus #1 challenger Ken Norton. Norton was a "logical champion". Norton also was a two-time NABF Heavyweight Champion.

[Ghstwn]

@BigCity80 , I stand a bit corrected. I had been under the impression for years that the WBC stripped Spinks for not fighting Norton after Ali. Yet Young was not actually holding the WBC at the time of fighting Norton. It was later decided to award it to the winner. (Had to look that up.) Norton wasn't announced as new champion in the ring,he won by mail.

Since you are well versed on boxing, how did Ali wind up defending the WBA against Leon? Where had the WBC portion gone and how?

Thanks.

[BigCity80]

@Ghstwn Ali defended the WBA and WBC against Spinks in 1978. Ali was mandated by the WBC to fight Norton, but they allowed Ali to fight Spinks in a "tune-up" bout provided the winner fight the #1 challenger Norton. An out of shape Ali was upset by Spinks. Then politics interfered and Spinks signed for a rematch with Ali instead of the bout with Norton. As I stated before, Norton won the title by virtue of his victory over Jimmy Young. Norton was a "logical champ" and a class man.

[Ghstwn]

@BigCity80 , Got it. I thought Leon did win the undisputed title from Ali.

Though I would call his desison to rematch Ali more financial than political. It really was a no brainer as to what the difference in purses and gate percentage would be. I would have let go of half the title too. I also believe that was the first time a challenger (ALI) was paid the same as the champion. The first time was Ali/ Frazier I . But both were undefeated Champions.

[BigCity80]

Ken Norton is one of my heroes. His victory over Muhammad Ali on March 31, 1973 was a great illustration of how one can beat the odds, achieve goals and reach their fullest potential by reading Norton's favorite book - Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. As for the comments on Norton's speech, he retired from boxing 1981. I heard Kenny talk on ESPN in 1985 and on a Knight Rider TV episode in 1986 and he was very articulate. Norton’s speech was affected by his car accident in 1986, not boxing.

[949galaxy]

Norton even works out at a 24hr fitness up the street here - he's on the go.

[wheatbull]

His slurred speech was from an auto accident,that left him with a fractured skull and unable to walk or talk for years.

[Solowizard]

It's hard to say what's the cause of his slurred speech, years of taking punches to the head, or his accident.

[EdMagikTV]

@Solowizard According to USA Today 2009: [Ken Norton was] "recovering from two recent strokes, a heart attack, quadruple bypass surgery and successful treatment for prostate cancer" He was a skillful boxer, so I'd think his impairments would come from his strokes.

[Solowizard]

@EdMagikTV, Naaaaaa, I heard him speak in an interview right after he retired from boxing. His speech was slurred then. This was way before his strokes, heart attack and cancer. I have a documentary called "Champions Forever" . He was at a press conference before the Ali fight, and he sounded very sharp.

[EdMagikTV]

@Solowizard OK, so if you knew that about his speech, then it's not hard for you to say what the cause of his slurred speech is. I pray for Ken to have good health and a successful recovery.

[BigCity80]

@EdMagikTV, Great interview with Ken Norton. He is a classy guy and one of my all-time top sports heroes.

[BigCity80]

@Solowizard, The Los Angeles Times reported that Norton’s speech was affected by his car accident, not boxing [see article: Ken Norton Is Now Fighting Back - Former Champ Is Learning to Talk Again After 1986 Car Accident, 12/26/1987]

[Stabesy]

@Solowizard It was from his bad car accident.

[michaeljackson1978]

Kenny survived not just the accident in 1986, but he beat prostate cancer, a heart attack, two strokes, u name it. He is an incredibly strong person and shouldnt even be alive. He still looks good, except for his voice. And he was WBC champion, not WBA.

[londoniran]

@michaeljackson1978 wow

[michaeljackson1978]

I agree with u zenmachinefilms, except for your comment on the third fight with Ali. Norton spent most uv the night posturing. He wasnt aggressive and busy enuff to get the decision, but it was a close fight. As far as his title reign is concerned, he never won it in the ring, it was indeed given to him, as a result of Spinks opting to fight Ali instead because of the big payday. But I still love Ken Norton, I respect him, and he has been through holy hell, and is one tuff cookie and overcame.

[drmbowen]

Ed: I responded once but it didn't post (too log I guess). I'm a former neurosurgery prof at Stanford as well as an ex-NYC Golden Glover. Ali let me stay at Deer Lake a month before the Manila fight.

[drmbowen]

the problem with his very obvious brain damage is much less from boxing than it was that car accident that would have killed anyone else

[EdMagikTV]

@drmbowen I have spoken to Ken a few times and yes, the car accident resulted in serious brain damage, and it is a miracle that he can walk and talk today.

[AliRidah619]

norton sounds weird he was a great fighter though

[Irishfanism]

The fact that Norton never won the title in the ring keeps me from refering to him as former world heaveyweight champion!The WBC gave the title to Norton after Spinks beat Ali then gave Ali a rematch thus Norton became WBC champ without ever having thrown a punch.To refer to Norton as former world champ would be an insult to all the fighters who had to win the title in the ring.Norton never won a heaveyweight title fight in his career!

[zenmachinefilms]

What a great, great champion and a class guy. He's older and slower, and his voice doesn't sound great, but his heart and message is still the same as it was all those years ago.

I agree with those who say he won the third Ali fight. Even Ali looked dejected after that fight. Kenny was the one guy that seemed to have Ali's number.

Fighters today can't touch guys like Norton Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Lyle, Shavers.

[Bloufo]

@ statixification,

yeah fair enough.

to use the word "blind" was definately an exaggeration on my part.

but I still reckon that Ken did enough to take that third fight.

just to disagree a little with you regarding that this was the best HW fifteen rounder.

My vote would go to a fight that also included Norton. And that was his brawl with Larry Holmes back in June of '78 at Caesars. Especially the last round in that fight was just awesome to behold.

[Bloufo]

Great great fighter!

His style gave Ali nightmares. Kenny won the first fight and definately the third as well. Three blind judges in Yankee Stadium that night back in '76.

[statixification]

@Bloufo How do you say the judges are blind? The fight was close as hell. And it was so nice to watch. I don't think there's ever been a better 15 round fight in the heavyweight history than Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III.

There's been far worse judging in boxing though.

[capablemachine]

Uh yeh as said earlier Norton was a Champion once and it was the WBC belt not the WBA which was held by Leon Spinks and given to Norton because he beat Jimmy Young as Spinks opted for the big money rematch with Ali.

[juanman75]

Absolute legend of the ring, and a truly great and inspiring man as well.

God bless Kenny!!!!

[THOMASBANTON]

Do you think this guy is taking the piss when he presents the facing ali dvd and says its a knockout...fuckin idiot

[holmes1978]

Kenny Norton Love you Champion !!!

[holmes1978]

Legendary Champion Mr. Norton !!!

[KNE1978]

Nice interview Pete- However, Ken was a WBC World Heavyweight Champion 1978.

Donald Hennessey Jr

Manager

Ken Norton Enterprises