Ken Norton Net Worth - Pulptastic

Posted by Reinaldo Massengill on Thursday, May 2, 2024

What was Ken Norton’s Net Worth?

Ken Norton, an American professional boxer, had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death in 2013. Norton turned professional in 1967 and won 42 of his 50 bouts, with 33 via knockout. He is most famously known for being one of only two boxers to defeat Muhammad Ali during his prime, breaking Ali’s jaw in their 1973 fight. Norton was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992 and died on September 18, 2013. His son, Ken Norton Jr., also pursued a career in sports as a professional football player and coach.

Ken Norton’s Earnings from Muhammad Ali Fight in 1973

Ken Norton’s first bout against Muhammad Ali in 1973 earned him $300,000, which is equivalent to approximately $2 million today after adjusting for inflation. He went on to earn millions more from guarantees and Pay Per View bonuses mainly from his two rematches against Ali.

Early Life and Athletic Career

Ken Norton was born on August 9, 1943 in Jacksonville, Illinois. He attended Jacksonville High School, where he excelled in football and track. Norton was named an All-State selection in football and won seven out of eight track and field events his senior year. His success led to the implementation of the “Ken Norton Rule” which limited the number of events a student athlete could participate in to four. Norton went on to attend Northeast Missouri State University on a football scholarship, where he studied elementary education.

Norton’s Boxing Career in the Marine Corps

After dropping out of college, Norton enlisted in the US Marine Corps from 1963 to 1967. During this time, he took up boxing and became the best boxer ever in the Corps, compiling a 24-2 record and winning three all-Marine heavyweight titles.

As an amateur, Norton won the North Carolina AAU Golden Gloves, International AAU, and Pan American titles, solidifying his reputation as a skilled fighter.

Ken Norton’s Boxing Career

Ken Norton was a successful professional boxer, winning his first three years of fights against well-known opponents such as Grady Brazell, Harold Dutra, and Jimmy Gilmore. After he lost to Jose Luis Garcia, Norton read the book “Think and Grow Rich” and went on a 14-fight winning streak, including a split-decision upset over Muhammad Ali in 1973, winning the North American Boxing Federation heavyweight title. Norton lost the rematch with Ali later that year and lost to George Foreman for the world heavyweight championship in 1974. Norton regained the NABF heavyweight title in 1975 and had a hotly contested bout with Ali in 1976, but Ali retained his world championship title. Norton went on to defeat Duane Bobick, Lorenzo Zanon, and Jimmy Young, and was retroactively given world heavyweight champion status by the WBC in 1978.

Ken Norton’s Boxing Career and Retirement

In 1978, Ken Norton lost his first defense of the WBC heavyweight title to Larry Holmes in a narrow split decision. He beat Randy Stephens but lost to Earnie Shavers in 1979 and drew with Scott LeDoux. Norton decided to retire from professional boxing at the age of 37 but faced the undefeated Tex Cobb in late 1980, winning the bout with a split decision. Norton’s final fight was against Gerry Cooney in May of 1981 at Madison Square Garden, where he was defeated via first-round technical knockout. After the fight, Norton retired from boxing to focus on charitable endeavors.

Ken Norton’s Acting and Career after Boxing

Beyond his boxing career, Norton also tried his hand at acting. He appeared in the 1975 blaxploitation film “Mandingo” and its 1976 sequel “Drum.” Norton also had minor roles in various productions. After retiring from boxing, Norton became a boxing commentator on television and frequently spoke publicly. Unfortunately, a life-threatening car accident in 1986 left him with impaired speech.

Personal Life and Death

Ken Norton was married three times in his life. His first marriage was to Jeanette Henderson in 1966, and they had a son named Ken Jr. before divorcing in 1968. Ken Jr. went on to play and coach in the NFL. Norton’s second marriage was to Jackie Halton in 1977, and they had a daughter named Kenisha and a son named Kene. They divorced in 2000. Norton later married Rose Conant. He also has a son named Keith from before his first marriage.

On September 18, 2013, Norton passed away at a care facility in Henderson, Nevada. He was 70 years of age.

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