Ken Norton 'The Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion'

July 1977

'Kenny Norton To Defend Against Johnny Boudreaux'

Heavyweight Champion - Kenny Norton will defend his Heavyweight
Crown for the 4th-Time versus Texan - Johnny Boudreaux.

The bout will held on Boudreaux's 25th Birthday, on July 17th - and
at the Dallas Convention Center.

Johnny, soon to be a 25 year-old is a solid 6' 2 1/2" -207 lbs., and is the
#9 Heavyweight, and brings a record of 22-1-1 {8 KO's}. Boudreaux has
a classic boxer style, with a good left jab. Johnny is not a big-puncher,
but does throw good combinations with some speed.

Boudreaux has a 'controversial decison win' over Scott LeDoux, in February 1977,
that many thought he had lost. But, Johnny has erased that 'controversy', by defeating
LeDoux in March by a 'wide' 10-Round Decision.

Johnny Boudreaux, 'I have as good a left jab as anyone, and I can fire
fast one-two's better than most. Kenny will be surprised by my speed, and
I plan to box him with clever movement and quick counter-punches.'

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July 17, 1977

Dallas Convention Center

'Kenny Norton Bombards Boudreaux On His Birthday'

Heavyweight Champion - Kenny Norton brought a 'Birthday Present'
for his 25 year-old opponent, Johnny 'Be Good' Boudreaux, and it was
a left hook and right hand, wrapped in a leather glove.

The Champion, (1 month shy of his 34th birthday), blasted the Challenger
into a KO stoppage at 1:11 of Round 6.

Kenny Norton (220 lbs.) wasted little time, and went right after the
25 year-old 208 lb. Boudreaux in the opening round, by scoring with hard
left hooks to the body, and dropping in sizzling overhand rights to the jaw,
which stunned the Challenger.

Boudreaux, who was stunned, was able to box out of danger by jabbing
and moving to survive the round.

In Round 2, Norton again shook his opponent with hard right hands, and
Boudreaux was on shaky legs throughout the round. Bu again, the quick
Challenger was able to slide away from danger, by jabbing and moving.

Knowing he was in control, the Champion laid back in Rounds 3 and 4, and
let the Challenger score with light left jabs, as he leaned in with his
hands down, tempting Boudreaux to throw punches at his head.

The Champion moved more aggressively in Round 5, and pawed with
repeated left jabs into Boudreaux's face, preventing his opponent from
mounting any offense. Midway in the round, Norton landed a wicked
right hand that buckled Boudreaux's legs, forcing the Challenger to grab
and hold the Champion for extended lengths. Referee - Dickie Cole
repeatedly warned the Challenger for excessive holding.

In Round 6, Norton decided to end matters, and started winging hard
left hooks to the body, that bent the Challenger over. A hard left hook
and right hand to the head dropped Boudreaux to his right knee at the
0:44 Mark, where Referee - Dickie Cole gave the 8-Count.

The Referee asked the 'out-gunned' Boudreaux if he wanted to continue,
and Johnny nodded yes. The Champion then moved in and threw a 7-punch
barrage, capped by a brutal right-hand to the jaw that felled Johnny Boudreaux,
where he was counted out at 1:11 of Round 6.


The Champion improves to 42-3-0 (34 KO's), and received a fight purse of $1,600,000.

The Challenger Johnny Boudreaux drops to 22-2-1, and received a fight purse of $300,000.

 

August 1977

'Kenny Norton, Heavyweight Champion Announces Plans'

Kenny Norton announced today that he will make another 'non-mandatory'
defense in September, before taking on #1 Contender - Jimmy Young.

The Champion said he has '3' possible opponents on the board, either
'veteran' Ron Lyle, 'crafty' Italian Heaavyweight Champion - Lorenzo Zanon
or a 'mystery challenger'.

The #1 ranked Jimmy Young, who 'upset' former Champion George Foreman
earlier this year is ready for an end of year challenge for the Heavyweight Championship.