Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III

Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III

Date	September 28, 1976
Venue	Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York City, New York
Title(s) on the line	WBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed heavyweight championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer Muhammad Ali Ken Norton Nickname "The Greatest" "The Jaw Breaker" Hometown Louisville, Kentucky San Diego, California Purse $6,000,000 $1,000,000 Pre-fight record 52–2 (37 KO) 37–3 (30 KO) Age 34 years, 8 months 33 years, 1 month Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) Weight 221 lb (100 kg) 217+1⁄2 lb (99 kg) Style Orthodox Orthodox Recognition WBA, WBC and The Ring undisputed Heavyweight Champion WBA/WBC No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Ali wins via 15-round unanimous decision (8-6, 8-7, 8-7)

Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III was a professional boxing match contested on September 28, 1976, for the undisputed heavyweight championship. Ali won by a controversial unanimous decision.

Background

External audio
National Press Club Luncheon Speakers, Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton, August 27, 1976, 1:02:57, Norton speaks at 8:58, Ali 11:10-39:00, Library of Congress

Ali and Norton met for the third and last time on September 28, 1976, at Yankee Stadium to complete their trilogy. Norton won their first encounter, while Ali took the second. This time, 34-year-old Ali entered the ring as the Heavyweight Champion, making the eighth defense of his title since his victory over George Foreman in 1974.

The fight

Both fighters showed their strengths, but neither established themselves as the obvious winner. Most commentators gave the fight to Norton. Ultimately, Arthur Mercante scored the bout 8 to 6 while Harold Lederman and Barney Smith had it 8 to 7, all in favour of the champion, giving Ali a unanimous decision victory.

Overall, Ali landed 199 of 709 punches while Norton landed 286 of 635 punches, per Bob Canobbio's CompuBox statistics. Norton both landed more punches and had far better accuracy (45% vs 28%). Norton also landed 192 power punches to Ali's 128.

Aftermath

Of the 21 sportswriters polled after the fight, 17 believed that Norton won. Ali said during an interview with Mark Cronin in October 1976: "Kenny's style is too difficult for me. I can't beat him, and I sure don't want to fight him again. I honestly thought he beat me in Yankee Stadium, but the judges gave it to me, and I'm grateful to them." Norton was bitter, stating after the fight: "I won at least nine or ten rounds. I was robbed."

Norton said of the result years later: "If you saw the look on Ali's face at the end, he knew I beat him. He didn't hit me hard the whole fight. Then they announced the judges' decision and I was bitter, very bitter. Not towards Ali... he'd done his job, he was just there to fight. But I was hurt, I was mad, I was angry. I was upset... and it still upsets me."

Undercard

Confirmed bouts:

Winner	Loser	Weight division/title belt(s) disputed	Result
Earnie Shavers	Henry Clark	Heavyweight (10 rounds)	2nd-round TKO.
Mike Rossman	Christy Elliott	Light heavyweight (10 rounds)	3rd-round KO.
Bernardo Mercado	James J Woody	Heavyweight (10 rounds)	3rd-round TKO.
Gilbert Acuna	Peter Muller	Heavyweight (4 rounds)	1st-round KO.
Bill Sharkey	Joe Maye	Heavyweight (4 rounds)	Unanimous decision.
Greg Sorrentino	Johnny Blaine	Heavyweight (4 rounds)	Unanimous decision.
Dennis Jordan	Jerry Thompkins	Heavyweight (4 rounds)	1st-round KO.
Otis Gordon	Kevin Smith	Heavyweight (4 rounds)	1st-round TKO.

Broadcasting

Country	Broadcaster
Australia	Seven Network
Brazil	Band
Canada	CTV
France	TF1
Germany	ARD
Japan	TBS
Mexico	Televisa
Philippines	RPN 9
Spain	TVE
United Kingdom	BBC