Ken Norton, born as Kenneth Howard Norton, was a world-class heavyweight boxer best known for his trilogy of legendary fights against Muhammad Ali. He was born on August 9, 1943, in Jacksonville, Illinois, United States. During his years at Jacksonville High School, Norton was an accomplished multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track and field. After graduating from high school, he earned a football scholarship and attended Missouri State University, now known as Truman State University.

Ken Norton served in the United States Marine Corps between 1963 and 1967. It was during his military service that he began boxing competitively. He quickly distinguished himself as the best boxer in his unit and went on to win the North Carolina AAU Golden Gloves, the International AAU Championship, and the Pan American boxing titles. Following the completion of his military service, Norton transitioned into professional boxing.

Norton began his professional boxing career in 1967 at the age of 23. He won his debut bout by knockout against Grady Brazell. From then until his retirement in 1981, he compiled an impressive professional record of 42 victories and 7 defeats, with 33 of his wins coming by knockout.

Ken Norton rose to international prominence on March 31, 1973, when he faced boxing legend Muhammad Ali. In that historic bout, Norton broke Ali’s jaw and won by split decision, becoming only the second boxer to defeat Ali at that point in Ali’s career. Norton and Ali fought three times in total, with all three bouts going the full distance. Norton won the first encounter, while Ali narrowly claimed victory in the following two closely contested matches.

In 1973, Ken Norton captured the WBC World Heavyweight Boxing Championship. He was renowned for his distinctive cross-arm defensive style, which allowed him to absorb and deflect punches effectively. Despite his compact punching range, his strikes were exceptionally powerful and precise.

Norton’s boxing career came to an end in 1981 after he suffered a knockout loss to Gerry Cooney. Following his retirement from the ring, he transitioned into acting and appeared in approximately 20 films and television productions.

In 1986, Ken Norton was involved in a severe automobile accident that nearly claimed his life. He spent nearly one year hospitalized as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.

Ken Norton passed away on September 18, 2013, at the age of 70, due to a heart attack at a hospital in Henderson, Nevada, United States.

Marriages and Family

1st marriage: Married Jeannette Norton in 1966; divorced in 1968. They had one son, Ken Norton Jr. (born 1966).
2nd marriage: Married Jacqueline Halton in 1977. The couple had two sons.

Filmography

1975 – Mandingo
1976 – Drum
1983 – The A-Team: Pros and Cons
1985 – Mugsy's Girls
1986 – Oceans of Fire
1989 – Champions Forever: World Heavyweight Champs!
1991 – Kiss and Be Killed
1998 – Dirty Work
2008 – The Man Who Came Back
2009 – Facing Ali

Source: Biyografiler.com