Wednesday Night - December 13, 1972 3-Months before anyone had ever heard of Heavyweight - Ken Norton, a U.S. Marine fighting out of San Diego, California. In a sparcely attended bout at "The Coliseum Athletic Club" in San Diego, the 'once-beaten' 29 year-old Heavyweight Ken Norton at 28-1-0 (23 KO's), took on Washington State's - 'Big' Charlie Reno. Wednesday Night Fight's at the aging 48 year-old Coliseum were a regular event, along with 'Wrestling Shows' and up and coming Rock Bands. The 3561 seating capacity Coliseum was a perfect venue if you wanted to see bouts 'close-up', as the old 'smoke-filled' arena had a tight atmosphere, with a perimeter balcony called 'the gallery' for the 'cheap seat purchasers'. But, on this night, only 700 fans paid to see this 'obscure' Heavyweight bout which drew little interest, except for the local Ken Norton supporters, and a few passers-by. The 6' 3" 208 lb. Ken Norton had entered the Top 10 of the Heavyweight division as quiet as a 'church mouse' in 1972, but the 'skeptics' were still out on the 'muscular' Norton, despite his remarkable 'Greek God Physique', the #8 Ranked Heavyweight was having a terrible time getting recognition, as well as a decent 'pay-day'. The question, 'Can he take a good whack in the chin'. Ken Norton (December 1972) This content is protected The Coliseum Athletic Club (15th Street and E Street) [url] This content is protected [/url]
Enter One - 'Big' Charlie Reno - from Seattle, Washington Also known as 'Sweet' and 'The Seattle Fat Man'. The 30 year-old - 6' 0" 250 lb. 'Pacific Northwest Heavyweight' was purely, a 'glorified journeyman'. By his own admission, he was a cross between 'Archie Moore and Tony Galento', a crafty and over-weight club-fighter. When asked, you mean you're kind of like George Chuvalo, Charlie would counter with, 'No, George has way too much more style and class than me'. Despite his 'girth', Charlie (real name; Kenno Carlos) did possess 'deceptively' fast hands, and could box fairly well. As a 'big man' though, he did not punch with power, and relied more on quick one-two's than anything else. Upon entering his bout with Ken Norton, 'The Seattle Fat Man' had posted a respectable record of 29-6-2 (8 KO's).
Wednesday Night - December 13, 1972 Fighting for a mere $300 - Kenny Norton, who was expecting an 'easy' walk in the park with the soft and tubby 250 lb. 'Big' Charlie Reno, found an unexpectedly difficult opponent. After a 'feeling out' opening Round 1, Kenny got hit with a few 'standard' one-two's from the 30 year-old 'Seattle Fat Man' in Round 2. Norton tried to go aggressive in Round 3, but the bigger but less muscular Reno was able to move Kenny backwards with his weight, and scored quite well with quick left-rights, before Norton could counter-punch. The San Diego Heavyweight kept the fight to center-ring in Round 4, and used his hard left jab, by keeping it in Reno's face, and then would offer a quick left hook to the body. In Round 5, Norton again tried to keep the fight at center-ring, and was successful, until the last 40-seconds, when Reno landed a sharp left-right that caught Norton's attention. reno then pushed Norton backto the ropes, where he landed some nice sharp left-rights to the face of Kenny, puffing up his left eye. Sensing the bout was too close, Norton had his best moments in Round 6, as he outworked Reno with an assortment of punches, capped by several good left hooks to the body, that forced the Seattle Heavyweight to clinch several times. In Rounds 7 and 8, Norton focused on the "Seattle Fat Man's" belly, and pounded in hard left hooks to the mid-section, but like a 'lumberjack brawler', Charlie Reno hung in there, and fired back with his own decent body shots that bothered Norton. In Round 9, Norton, unable to hurt his durable opponent, changed to a boxing and moving mode, by tossing out left hands while moving and dipping. The 250 lb. Reno tried to make the fight, but could not get close to land any effective quick one-two's. In Round 10 'the final round', Kenny Norton tries to box-and-move, to protect his points lead, but 'Big Charlie' will not let that happen. Outweighing Norton by 42 lbs., Reno bulls his opponent backward into the ropes, where he lets go with both hands as Norton leans back and absorbs them. Norton can't get off any punches, as the 'Fat Man' is quicker, and continues with his light-hitting but effective attack until the final bell. Scorecards; Referee - Frank Rustich.....6-4-0 (Ken Norton) Judge - Fred Hayes..........5-3-2 (Ken Norton) Judge - Hal Rickards.........5-4-1 (Ken Norton) Ken Norton is given a more difficult fight than he expected, and wins a close hard fought 10-Round Decision.
