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In the fall of 1977, Ken Norton was in a WBC title eliminator fight against Jimmy Young. The winner would be the mandatory for Muhammed Ali. Norton would come away with a split decision but not a fourth fight with Ali.
Ali and Leon Spinks were scheduled to fight, and Spinks would upset the legend. But, instead of honoring the agreement with the WBC and giving the #1 challenger, Norton, a shot at the title, Spinks chose a rematch with Ali for the WBA title.
The WBC awarded Norton the WBC title for the win against Young.
Norton’s next opponent would be the Larry Holmes and Ernie Shavers winner. Holmes would dominate Shavers in a 12-round unanimous decision win.
By today’s standard, it would be a quick turnaround for Holmes, who defeated Shavers in March and had to prepare for Norton for a June date.
During this era of boxing, championship fights were 15 rounds. Holmes’ physical condition would come into play.
Holmes came out dictating the terms of the fight. He was on his toes and was using every bit of the ring. Holmes’ movement and his stiff jab gave Norton all kinds of problems. Norton’s issue was that he just followed Holmes around the right. He didn’t try to cut him off, and he didn’t use his jab. If Norton had gone to Holmes’ body earlier in the fight, it could’ve given Norton the opportunity to break Holmes down later.
The fight started to change around the sixth round when Holmes seemed inactive in stretches. That allowed Norton to corner Holmes and land his trademark hook. Norton was also doing a better job jabbing his way inside.
Norton closed the gap and set up the fight to be decided in the last five rounds.
The 11th round was Norton’s most dominant round. Holmes continued to move and not throw punches, and Norton took advantage of Holmes’ lull in effort. The 12th round was a close one that could’ve gone either way, even though Norton landed the more meaningful shots.
The 13th round might’ve been one of the best rounds Holmes fought in his career. Holmes was throwing in combinations and throwing hooks. Norton looked like he was done.
But that wasn’t the case. Norton came out in the 14th and landed hard shots, pushing Holmes back to the ropes. Norton failed to take advantage of his best opportunity in the fight. With Holmes laid up on the ropes, Norton didn’t close the gap close enough or fast enough, and Holmes was able to walk out of trouble. Norton easily won the round, but with the fight being so close, Norton could’ve done more.
The 15th round was historic. The round was as exciting as anything seen in the Thomas Hearns-Marvin Hagler fight. Holmes was battering Norton with power shots. Norton looked like he was in trouble, yet he returned with a hook that knocked Holmes’ mouthpiece out.
The scorecards were indicative of how close the fight was.
143-142 Holmes
142-143 Norton
143-142 Holmes
MTC Media scored the fight 143-142 Norton.
