Ken Norton was born in August 1943, in Jacksonville, Illinois. After completing high school in 1960, he attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in hopes of becoming a teacher or a policeman; however, in 1963 he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Norton graduated from Naval Communications Training Center Corry Station, in Pensacola, Florida, and served in signals intelligence. During this time, he took up boxing and achieved a 24-2 record and three All-Marine Heavyweight titles. His boxing achievements during service also included the North Carolina AAU Golden Gloves, International AAU titles and Pan American titles.
After the Marine Corps, Norton pursued professional boxing, winning his first match against boxer Grady Brazell in November 1967. Throughout the beginning of his professional boxing career, he achieved a row of successful wins and was labeled a prospect by “The Ring” magazine in 1970. However, he was defeated by boxer Jose Luis Garcia shortly after. Following that defeat, he went on to record victories against James J. Woody, Steve Carter and Jack O’Halloran.
Norton’s most well-known fight was March 31, 1973, against boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Norton broke Ali’s jaw during the event, which earned him the nickname, “The Jawbreaker.” The fight lasted 12 rounds, with Norton being declared the winner, marking only the second loss of Ali’s career. Norton and Ali fought two more times, with Ali being declared the winner of both; the third being recognized as one of the most controversial matches in boxing history.
In 1981, Norton retired from boxing with 42 wins, 33 knockouts, 7 losses and 1 draw. Some of his major boxing awards and achievements include induction into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame. Following his boxing retirement, Norton went into acting. On Sept. 18, 2013, Norton died at the age of 70 from congestive heart failure.
We honor his service.
America250
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Writer: Jessica Waldon
Editors: Mary Brennan, Ashley Shaut
Graphic Designer: Saul Leon
Researchers: John Bergstrom, Gabriella Begley
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We honor the service of the Jawbreaker Ken Norton.