Ken Norton 'The Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion'

August 1977

'It's A Heavyweight Championship Italian Style'

It was announced, that 34 year-old Heavyweight Champion - Kenny Norton
will defend his Championship for the 5th-time, versus Italian Heavyweight -
Lorenzo Zanon at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

The bout will take place on September 14th.

The Champion, has stopped all '4' of his Challengers, and has complied a
record of 42-3-0 (34 KO's), since defeating Muhammad Ali in September 1976.

Lorenzo Zanon of Italy, is a 26 year-old 6' 2" 208 lb. southpaw, and has
a record of 22-2-1 (6 KO's). The Italian is not a big puncher, but does
have fairly good boxing skills and a sharp right hand jab.

Lorenzo, the #8 Heavyweight, caused a 'Stir in Europe', when in June (3 months ago)
he upset #5 Heavyweight and European Heavyweight Champion - Joe Bugner
in Rome, Italy by a 10-Round Decision. In that bout, Bugner floored Zanon 'twice'
in the 2nd Round, but could not finish the Italian, who then went on to give Bugner
a boxing lesson over the last 7-Rounds, enroute to a Unanimous Decision win.

Though Zanon can box and has quick hands, his chin has been the failure
in both of his losses. And that leaves the question if he can take a good punch.

Lorenzo Zanon

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September 14, 1977

Caesar's Palace - Las Vegas

'Norton Zaps Italian Zanon'

Ken Norton, the Heavyweight Champion scored a 'knockout' (KO 5) over awkward
Italia southpaw - Lorenzo Zanon, to retain his Championship for the '5th-time'.

The 34 year-old Champion entered the ring at 223 lbs., his heaviest weight ever, and it
looked like the extra weight effected his slow performance over the first '3-Rounds'.

The 26 year-old, 6' 2" 208 lb, southpaw Italian, was able to land fast one-two's into
Kenny's face, then quickly back out before the Champion could counter with his
heavy left hook.

The Champion was able to mount a good offense in Round 4, when several of his left
hooks to the body and head, rattled Zanon, who scampered like an Italian Grehound.

In Round 5, Zanon attempted several quick right jabs, and straight left hands to the
Champion's chin to ward him off, but the punches had no power. Norton was able to
walk through the light-fisted attack without any damage. The beginning of the end came
at the 2:40 Mark, when the Champion landed a hard left hook that floored the 'pesky'
Challenger. Zanon who got up quickly, took the mandatory '8-Count', but was met by
a hard right hand and several left hooks that dropped him in a neutral corner at the 2:58 Mark.

The Challenger went down, and could not get up before the 10-Count was given by Referee - Joey Giambra.

It goes down as a KO 5 at the 3:08 Mark.

Kenny Norton improves his 'fine' record to 43-3-0 (35 KO's). The Champion received a fight purse
of $1,350,000 for his 5th-Defense.

Lorenzo Zanon falls to 22-3-1, and received a fight purse of $200,000 plus ancillary rights for the
Italian Televsion Broadcast.

Attendance; 4169

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September 15, 1977


'Heavyweight Champion - Kenny Norton Announces '3' More Defenses for 1977'

Heavyweight Champion will defend his 'Title' three more times this year,
which will set a record for the 'Most Heavyweight Championship Defenses
in One Year', giving the Champion the 'Lucky 7' if he is successful.

Kenny will defend his title in October, November and December.
The #1 Heavyweight Challenger - Jimmy Young is slated for November 5, 1977.

The 34 year-old Champion said he will fight again in 3-weeks.