On March 31st, 1973, heavyweight contender Ken Norton famously broke former undisputed champion Muhammad Ali’s jaw on his way to a split decision victory in San Diego, California.
It was a major setback in Ali’s career, as he sought to climb the ranks and regain the world championship, which had been stripped from him in 1967 when he refused to be inducted into the US Army for service during the Vietnam War. He had already failed to defeat the reigning kingpin, ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier, and some critics were wondering if his over three-year layoff from the ring had completely derailed his destiny.
Ali would win a rematch against Norton in another split decision held on Sept 10 of that same year, this time at The Forum in Los Angeles. ‘The Greatest’ would eventually fulfill his goal of becoming the champion again on two more occasions. He defeated George Foreman in 1974 and then Leon Spinks in 1979.
He retired from boxing in December 1981 at the age of 39, following an embarrassing loss to Trevor Berbick. He finished his legendary career with a professional record of 56 wins (37 by knockout) and 5 losses, and is recognized as a three-time lineal heavyweight champion.
Norton remained a top heavyweight contender throughout the 1970s, but though he fought for the championship on multiple occasions, he never ascended to the top of the ranks.
However, he’s still considered one of the best fighters of his era. Norton’s name would also resurface in the sports world years later, but for a much different reason. His son, Ken Jr, emerged as one of the NFL’s best linebackers of the early 1990s, becoming a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
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