Ken Norton 'The Uncrowned Heavyweight Champion'

Ken Norton............Es Muy Macho'

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September 1977

'Kenny Norton To Defend Versus European Champion, Evangelista'

Heavyweight Champion will defend his Chamoionship for the '6th' time
when he takes on the European Heavyweight Champion - Spaniard
Alfredo Evangelista.

The bout will be held in Denver, Colorado - on Friday Night - October 7th.

This will be the Champion's '5th Defense' of the year, and his second in
only 3-weeks, as Norton 'knocked out' Lorenzo Zanon only 3-weeks ago.

The 34 year-old Norton with a record of 43-3-0 (35 KO's) said 'I'm a fighting
Champion, and I will fight as often as I can to give the fans a good performance
in the ring.'

The Challenger, Alfredo Evangelista is from Spain. The little known
22 year-old, is a 6' 1" 215 lb. slugger-boxer, with a good left hook and
a pressure style.

Evangelista has a record of 21-1-1 (18 KO's), and is the European
Heavyweight Champion. His only loss, to Lorenzo Zanon, the Champion's
previous Challenger in an 8-Round bout early in 1977.

Alfredo is the #7 Ranked Heavyweight, and won the European Championship
only 4-weeks ago on September 9th, with an 'upset' (KO 11) over Frenchman
Lucien Rodriguez. Alfredo has only been a professional for 2-years, but has
been a highly active fighter by entering in '23-bouts' in that short span.

Ken Norton, 'I want to stay busy, as I have an important fight with Jimmy Young
next month. I would rather have a good tune-up fight, than a gym sparring session.'

Alfredo Evangelista, 'I'm no tune-up fighter. I came here to win. The Champion has
made a big mistake taking me on as a warm-up fight. I will be the Champion after
October 7th.'

Alfredo Evangelista

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Friday - October 7, 1977

'Kenny Norton Splashes Spaniard in Nine'

34 year-old Heavyweight Champion - Kenny Norton performed like a
'construction worker' last night, with a 'workmanlike' performance, by
stopping the 'Stubborn Spaniard' Alfredo Evangelista in the 9th Round.

The 6' 3" Norton, came in at a 'rock hard' 218 lbs., 5 lbs, less than 3-weeks
ago versus Lorenzo Zanon.

Kenny fought from a boxing stance tonight, and stayed outside using his
long left jab to keep the 6' 1" 215 lb. Evangelista from getting inside to land
his powerful left hook.

Norton controlled the first '5-rounds', as he dominated with his jab, and
an occasional left hook to the body. The Spaniard was content to wait
and counter-punch, and was only able to land an infrequent left jab.

In Round 6, Evangelista was able to score, as Norton backed to the ropes
and kept his hands held high, in a defensive posture. Kenny was doing nothing
more than resting, and testing the power of Evangelista, who wacked away
with rights and lefts to Norton's body.

In Round 7, Norton opened up fast with a '7-punch' flurry that shook the
Challenger, but the Champion backed off, as he seemed to not want to
hurt his 22 year-old opponent. Alfredo shook off the punches, and came back
with a good right-hand and left hook that made the Champion smile in return.

Norton, 'faking' that he was 'stunned', moved back to the ropes with his hands
down, bringing cheers from the Spanish contingent. Evangelista
moved in, and landed several good body punches, while Norton leaned
back on the ropes.

Just before the bell, Alfredo caught Norton with his best punch, a left hook to the
chin, and then a straight right hand at the bell.

The Champion gave the Challenger a tap on the shoulder in a gesture of a good round,
as both walked back to their corners.

In Round 8, Norton again stayed along the ropes, as Evangelista moved in, and tried
with all his heart to land a heavy punch. But the Champion would just parry the punches
with his gloves, and moved side-to-side, not allowing the Challenger to land anything
clean.

After of laying the ropes for over 2-minutes, Norton moved out at the 2:30 Mark, and
bombed Evangelista with several hard left hooks to the jaw. Norton continued to maintain
the heavy pressure on the Challenger until the bell.

Evangelista returned to his corner sporting a swollen right eye, and bloody mouth.

In Round 9, the cornermen for Alfredo Evangelista were in confusion whether to send their
battered young fighter out for another round. After some discussion, they allowed Alfredo
to continue.

At the bell, Alfredo slowly came out of the corner, as the Champion patiently moved out
of his. They met at center-ring, and Kenny tossed out '12-straight' medium-power left jabs
to Alfredo's face, causing him to turn away. The Champion realizing the Challenger was hurt,
turned to Referee Arthur Mercante who jumped in an waved his hands that the bout was over.

Kenny Norton was awarded a 'knockout' (KO 9) at 0:22 of the Round.

The Champion - Kenny Norton improves his record to 44-3-0 (36 KO's), and received a fight purse
of $1,000,000.

The Challenger - Alfredo Evangelista drops to 21-2-1, and received a fight purse of $150,000.

A 'weary and battered' Alfredo Evangelista comes out for Round 9 versus Champion Kenny Norton.

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