The Life Ahead
Posted: 11 Mar 2021, 20:38
There's been a lot of heated debate(and the usual name calling) regarding who the #5 name should be added to the great non champions list. I'll put in my nominee here-Ken Norton. I never considered him a champion even though the WBC "made" him the champ after that body reversed Norton's win over Jimmy Young as a title fight. Leon Spinks who had upset Ali to gain the title wouldn't defend against the WBC's # 1 Norton so they doctored the books saying the Young fight shouldn't have been a title fight instead of an eliminator.Ridiculous.
They talk about George Foreman's "rebirth" after the Ali loss in Zaire. George Foreman is one of the most affable dudes on the planet.He went from Mr. Hyde to Mr. Nice Guy. He said Christianity turned the trick.Maybe more people today should be considering someone higher in order than themselves instead of putting more faith in "the science."Ken Norton did something similar like Papa George. Early,when I knew Norton ,when he basically made his home in San Diego, he was standoffish and kind of arrogant. He wasn't that popular down here.I think his personality had something to do with it. When Happy Jack O'Halloran took him on at the Coliseum there was no doubt who the fans were pulling for-Happy Jack.Many years later after he retired and had that car accident I saw him being inducted at The San Diego Hall Of Champions into theirHall Of Fame.You can right away tell when someone has made that personality switch.Just the way he stood in the room emitted a kind manner. I talked to him a bit.Asked him if he remembered roughing me up in a sparring session. He said he did but I don't think he really remembered. He just wanted to be ageeable.He was approachable and had such a nice way about him.You felt at ease with him.He made you feel that way.He said he had read a book titled "Think And Grow Rich" that made an impact changing his life. They ought to give out free samples.
Ken Norton
They talk about George Foreman's "rebirth" after the Ali loss in Zaire. George Foreman is one of the most affable dudes on the planet.He went from Mr. Hyde to Mr. Nice Guy. He said Christianity turned the trick.Maybe more people today should be considering someone higher in order than themselves instead of putting more faith in "the science."Ken Norton did something similar like Papa George. Early,when I knew Norton ,when he basically made his home in San Diego, he was standoffish and kind of arrogant. He wasn't that popular down here.I think his personality had something to do with it. When Happy Jack O'Halloran took him on at the Coliseum there was no doubt who the fans were pulling for-Happy Jack.Many years later after he retired and had that car accident I saw him being inducted at The San Diego Hall Of Champions into theirHall Of Fame.You can right away tell when someone has made that personality switch.Just the way he stood in the room emitted a kind manner. I talked to him a bit.Asked him if he remembered roughing me up in a sparring session. He said he did but I don't think he really remembered. He just wanted to be ageeable.He was approachable and had such a nice way about him.You felt at ease with him.He made you feel that way.He said he had read a book titled "Think And Grow Rich" that made an impact changing his life. They ought to give out free samples.
Ken Norton