Ken Norton

Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. (1943 to 2013) was an American boxer who competed professionally from 1967 to 1981. He was awarded the WBC world heavyweight championship in 1978 after winning a close split decision over Jimmy Young in a title eliminator bout. He is best known for his fights with Muhammad Ali, winning the first by split decision, losing the second by split decision and losing the third by a controversial unanimous decision. He lost the WBC title in his first defence, narrowly losing a split decision to Larry Holmes in 1978. He retired in 1981, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992, and also acted in a number of films.