The former world heavyweight champion Ken Norton, who beat Muhammad Ali in 1973, has died of heart failure at the age of 70.
“It was early this [Wednesday] afternoon. Ken got congestive heart failure and passed away,” said Norton’s close friend and former manager Patrick Tenore. “He was recovering from a stroke a year ago. To my shock his wife called me [and] said he had passed away.
“He was a fighter. He fought a tough battle and we thought he was out of the woods. He was a warm and generous man. He was a champion and a fighter and bright-eyed and anxious to see the next day and a dear friend of 20 years.
“Everyone will miss him. He never said a bad word about anyone.”
Norton broke Ali’s jaw in their first fight but lost the pair’s following two bouts.
Norton would go on to claim the WBC world heavyweight title in 1978 when Leon Spinks chose not to fight him.
Tenore believed Norton’s style had upset Ali’s rhythm in their first fight. “It did take Muhammed Ali by surprise but he [Norton] was very focused and a very tenacious and a great fighter. He was a very religious gentleman who was always kind to everyone.”
The WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward tweeted his condolences: “Just heard about Ken Norton passing. Met him last year in the Bay Area. Great champion & great man.”
George Foreman, a former two-time heavyweight champion, said on Twitter: “They called us all handsome. Muhammad they called pretty. But The fairest of them all Ken Norton.”
Norton finished with his career with a record of 42-7-1 and 33 knockouts. He became an actor after his retirement and was scheduled to play Apollo Creed in Rocky before pulling out. His son, Ken Jr, became an NFL star playing for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.

This article titled “Ken Norton dies at the age of 70″ was written by Tom Lutz, for theguardian.com

© Guardian News & Media Limited 2014