Today in Boxing History: Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton III

On this day in 1976, Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton completed the final chapter of their trilogy at Yankee Stadium in New York.

Norton shocked Ali in their first fight in 1973, by breaking his jaw and winning a split decision. Their rematch in 1973 also ended with a split decision, but this time in Ali’s favor. When the two met three years later in 1976, Ali was the champion and Norton had won his last seven fights.

Norton dominated the first several rounds. Ali, his body weary from age, brutal bouts with Joe Frazier and George Foreman, and injuries suffered in his exhibition match with Antonio Inoki, tried to keep his distance from Norton. However, the challenger managed to close in and attack Ali on the ropes repeatedly throughout the fight.

The wily champion used his expertise and skill to pick up later rounds, and the fight was dead even going into the 15th. The final round was very close, but in the end, the judges had the score 8-7, 8-7, and 8-6 for Ali.

The bout was not without controversy. Many at ringside felt that Norton won the bout, and chock this victory up as one of the questionable decisions Ali received in the final years of his career. To this day, Norton himself still insists that he won the fight.

While Ali’s three bouts with Frazier left fans in awe of “The Greatest,� his trilogy with Norton left us with the most questions.