Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. was an American professional boxer who competed from 1967 to 1981. He is considered by some to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He was awarded the WBC world heavyweight championship in 1978, after winning a close split decision over Jimmy Young in a title eliminator bout, after which Leon Spinks refused to fight with him.
Norton in 1976
Norton in 1976
On set of Mandingo (1975) with actor Perry King
Norton in 2010
Leon Spinks was an American professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 1995. In only his eighth professional fight, he won the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision, in what is considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Spinks was later stripped of the WBC title for facing Ali in an unapproved rematch seven months later, which he lost by a unanimous decision.
Spinks vs. Ray Kipping, 1995
Spinks defeated Ray Kipping on June 19, 1995, in St. Louis
Spinks during his final victory held at the "Little Bit of Texas" in St. Louis