Ken Norton 'The Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion'

September 28, 1976

Ken Norton has been named 'The Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion'
following his decision over Muhammad Ali at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday Night.

The sports-journalists at ringside, all voted for the San Diego Heavyweight as the
'clear' winner in his fight with the now 'Uncrowned' Muhammad Ali.

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October 1, 1976

Ken Norton

The 'New Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion'

'I guess I should offer the ex-Champion Muhammad Ali a rematch, but that would
not be fair to everyone. The WBC does not permit 'immediate' rematches. I will
follow the rules and guidelines, which I learned as a Marine. I will honor the WBC
and the Championship Committe, and all rules set forth for a defending Champion.'

'As a San Diego resident, I will make my 'first defense'' in front of my hometown fans,
and most likely very quickly. I will be a 'Fighting Champion'.'

'I have no problem fighting in 10-weeks, and I am in the process of setting up a fight
for mid-December, probably with the winner of the Richard Dunn - Joe Bugner fight
for the European Championship (to be held on October 16, 1976).

'I just talked to Joe Bugner, and he said he will put Richard Dunn away in the 1st-Round,
and quickly get over here to California.'

'After that, we'll see. Maybe an 'easy one' in February 1977 against 'undefeated'
New England Heavyweight - John 'Dino' Denis. Then we'll see what country Muhammad Ali
is visiting. I've heard he went to Istanbul, Turkey to fight their Champion next.'

 

Saturday Night - December 11, 1976

San Diego Stadium - San Diego, California

Attendance; 52,000

Ken Norton retains his Heavyweight Championship by stopping (TKO 12)
European Heavyweight Champion - #4 Ranked -Joe Bugner.

In a 'highly sprited bout' Kenny Norton over-came some difficulty from the
6' 4" Bugner, who used his left jab to keep the Champion at bay in the early
rounds, to build a lead on the scorecards.

But Norton came on strong after a slow start, and pounded Bugner with hard hooks
to the body in Rounds 6 thru 9, that made the big Hungarian whince.

Bugner retaliated in Round 10, by scoring with several good right hands that backed
Kenny off of him. And late in the round, Bugner landed his 'best' punch of the fight,
by scoring with a hard right hand to Kenny's left eye, that caused it to swell immediately.

Bugner had some brief success early in Round 11, as Norton had some difficulty seeing
out of his left eye. But by the end of the round, Kenny was winging his best hard right hands
that had Bugner in some trouble.

In Round 12, Norton came out fast and landed several hard left hooks to the body,
that had Bugner bending over in pain. A hard right hand and left hook to the head by
Norton forced Bugner to take a knee, and mandatory '8-Count'.

When Referee - John Thomas waved the fight to continue, Kenny attacked with a
vicious 17-punch assault to the hurt Bugner, and John Thomas was forced to stop
the battering at 1:02 of Round 12.

Ken Norton was ahead at the the time of the stoppage, by a score of 107-103.

The Champion improves his record to 39-3-0 (31 KO's), and received a fight purse of $3,000,000.

The Challenger Joe Bugner received a fight purse $600,000.

 

December 1976

Kenny Norton after a successful 'first defense' in San Diego, California
on December 11, 1976 will defend his Championship Crown next in
Las Vegas, set for early- February 1977.

Asked if he will fight Muhammad Ali a 'fourth time', the 'New Uncrowned
Champion' said, 'I can't find Muhammad, so it's a no go.'

"We have undefeated #10 Ranked John 'Dino' Denis 30-0-1 (15 KO's)
lined up next. He just had back-to-back wins over that tough guy
Scott LeDoux. He's a good clean kid, and should make for a decent fight.'

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