45 Years Ago Today: Ali Vs. Norton III – A Taxing, Physical Chess Match

By James Slater - 09/28/2021 - Comments

45 years ago, the one and only Muhammad Ali ruled the roost as far as the talent-rich heavyweight division was concerned. Ali, at age 34, was not the sublime, untouchable dancing master he had been; nor was he the superbly conditioned warrior who had taken everything a primed George Foreman could offer. Ali was, though, a still-proud, still tough, still unwilling to walk away master of the game. Just about. Ali, after all the wars he’d been through up until that point (Joe Frazier I and III, Foreman) was getting away with retaining his crown. Just.

Ali, with a combination as lethal as anything he could launch and land in his 1960’s peak – this comprising of cunning, mental psyche, and an unparalleled level of admiration from the scoring officials – was still able to hang onto the world title. Ken Norton, who had pushed Ali to the brink twice, over 24 gruelling non-title rounds, found this out the hard way on this day back in 1976.

Boxing their rubber-match at Yankee Stadium in New York, Ali and Norton wound up giving the world an at times fascinating, at times tough to watch, at times exciting 15-round battle that basically had no winner other than in terms of global appeal, stardom and adulation.

Norton, the exquisitely-conditioned former marine, had always given Ali nothing but hell (and how fascinating it is to wonder how Norton would have done against the peak, 1966 version of Ali). Now, in their one and only world title showdown, Norton was determined to lay it all on the line in an effort at showing he was the better man; that he was the heavyweight king. Norton was as good as his word. For 14 rounds. It was a close, tough, testing and engrossing chess match. Norton, punishing Ali’s body as well as his head and ability to take a great shot, fell for none of Ali’s mid-ring trash-talking. To the contrary – Kenny talked back at Ali, and maybe got the better of things (at one point in the fight, Ali was admonished by the referee, Arthur Mercante, for talking. Norton never received the same tongue-lashing).

It was an oh, so close fight. But then, inexplicably, Norton’s corner told their fighter not to take any chances in the final round; instead telling the challenger to box and play it safe. Norton had bags full of energy left, yet he did what he was told. All three judges gave Ali, who was more aggressive if also more fatigued, the 15th round. It proved crucial.

Ali won the fight by two margins of 8 rounds to 7, and by one score of 8 rounds to 6. Could Norton have pushed the ageing Ali hard in that final round, and in doing so would he have won the session? Very possibly. If he had, and if Norton had been awarded the 15th, he would have won the fight and the title. And the rubber-match.

But Norton, or his corner, fell to Ali’s magic. Later, Ali said he had done just enough to have earned the win. Later still, in retirement, Ali admitted he had never been able to master Norton or his style. Norton went to his grave fully believing he had won two of his three fights with Ali.

Together, Ali and Norton gave the world 39 of the most evenly fought rounds in heavyweight championship history.

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9 thoughts on “45 Years Ago Today: Ali Vs. Norton III – A Taxing, Physical Chess Match”

Dan M

10/07/2021 at 4:55 pm

Larry Holmes would have beaten George. He would have worn him out with his great jab and superior footwork!
Tony

10/03/2021 at 4:59 pm

Ali won possibly 4 rounds. Norton was robbed of the title he earned.
Talib Abdur-Rashid

09/30/2021 at 12:12 am

Nonsense Anonymous. In boxing as the saying goes, “styles make fights”. Dundee said that Norton’s style would always have given Ali fits. After a clear victory by Norton in their first fight , Ali gutted out a decisive victory in their 2nd. The rubber match was every bit as close as the judges ( including the highly regarded Arthur Mercante and Harold Lederman) had it. Norton’s corner made a critical tactical error, and strategies are part of prize fights. Dundee never erred in his advice to Ali ( except maybe when he told Ali to get off the ropes against Foreman, which Ali ignored). That Ali had enough to still beat Norton and Shavers after his exile followed by the fights with Smokin’ Joe and Foreman, is a testimony to his greatness.
Anonymous

09/29/2021 at 6:09 am

Norton beat Ali in all three of their fights IMO..He broke his jaw in the 1st fight and was robbed by the judges in both the second and third bouts.
- Anonymous
  
  09/29/2021 at 7:41 am
  
  No Ali won the second fight. Winning the last round as critical to his victory.
- Mr Jacktacular
  
  09/29/2021 at 1:01 pm
  
  Yep, I agree
- The Midnight Rider
  
  09/29/2021 at 4:45 pm
  
  What fights were you watching? 🤔
Hoover

09/28/2021 at 6:18 pm

…and then Norton would have had to fight Foreman, and likely been KO’d, changing boxing history. Foreman vs Holmes ?
- Bobby B
  
  10/03/2021 at 1:40 pm
  
  Always fascinated by the potential Holmes vs Foreman fight that never happened.

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