Muhammad Ali is known for a supreme self-confidence that made him one of the most memorable sporting icons the world has witnessed.
The slick heavyweight made a habit of predicting what round he would finish his opponents – a few of which were spot on – and projected zero doubts even when he stepped through the ropes an underdog.
There was, however, one man who he feels he couldn’t match: Ken Norton. The pair fought three times, the first of which Norton won, handing Ali – who suffered a broken jaw in the bout – only his second loss after being previously defeated by Joe Frazier.
Ali would win the second and third chapters of the rivalry, however both results were disputed, particularly the third, which Norton flat out branded a ‘robbery’ and even ‘The Greatest’ himself stated was a gift.
“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.”
In an interview with Jim Lampley, George Foreman recalled a time that Ali, who had beaten him in 1974, phoned him to discuss Norton. He said:
“He called me and complimented me for about twenty-minutes then he said, ‘ George, would you do me a favour? I said, ‘Certainly.’
“He said, ‘Please come back and beat Ken Norton and fight him for me. I can’t beat him. George, you can, he’s afraid of you. I’ll let you use my training camp and everything but please come back and beat him for me.”
Though ‘Big’ George didn’t pinpoint the date, it’s assumed that it was before Ali’s third and final fight with Norton. Foreman had previously dealt with him inside two rounds, so it was no wonder Ali made the call.
Hall of Famer Norton was elevated to full heavyweight world champion after a win over Jimmy Young. He hung up the gloves with 42 wins from 50 fights. He passed away in 2013, three years before Ali.