Epic Showdown: Ken Norton Battles Jimmy Young for the WBC Heavyweight Title 🥊

Ken Norton vs Jimmy Young for the vacant WBC heavyweight world title

Date: November 5, 1977

Venue: Caesars Palace Las Vegas

Norton stance: orthodox

Young stance: orthodox

Both boxers had fought for a world title before. Both had lost on points to Muhammad Ali, although in Ken Norton's case the judge's decision was hotly disputed. Norton had also been crushed in two rounds by George Foreman in 1974. This fight was originally billed as a final eliminator for the WBC heavyweight title, which was still held by Ali at the time.

Ken Norton rebounded from losing his trilogy bout with Ali by blasting out unbeaten, hard punching contender Duane Bobick in under a minute. He followed up by stopping Lorenzo Zanon in the fifth in September 1977.

Jimmy Young had lost to Ali five months before Norton. He had two quick wins in September 1976 against journeymen Lou Rogan and Mike Boswell. Young then beat Ron Lyle on points for a second time. His next fight was against George Foreman, and while Foreman dominated early proceedings, Young finished very strongly and got the decision over 12 rounds. After a points win over Jody Ballard, Young prepared for his second shot at a world title.

Three months after this bout, Ali lost his world titles to Leon Spinks, and when Spinks decided he'd rather have a rematch with Ali than face the winner of this final eliminator, the WBC awarded the title to the winner outside the ring.

For an in depth look at their respective records, visit:

Ken Norton - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/168

Jimmy Young - https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/276