Former Heavyweight Champ Ken Norton Sr. Dies At Age 70

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former heavyweight champion Ken Norton has died at age 70.

A friend of the fighter says Norton had been in poor health for the last several years after suffering a series of strokes.

Norton had three memorable fights against Muhammad Ali, winning the first while breaking his jaw in 1973. Ali won the rematch months later, then took the third in a controversial split decision in 1976.

Norton would come back the next year to win a heavyweight title eliminator and was declared champion by the World Boxing Council. But he lost a bruising 15-round fight to Larry Holmes in 1978 and would never be champion again.

Norton finished with a record of 42-7-1 and 33 knockouts.