George Foreman vs. Ken Norton

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George Foreman vs. Ken Norton
DateMarch 26, 1974
VenuePoliedro de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
Title(s) on the lineWBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
Tale of the tape
Boxer George Foreman Ken Norton
Nickname Big The Black Hercules
Hometown Houston, Texas, US San Diego, California, US
Purse $700,000 $200,000
Pre-fight record 39–0 (36 KO) 30–2 (23 KO)
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 224 lb (102 kg) 212 lb (96 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight champion
Result
Foreman wins via 2nd-round
TKO

George Foreman vs. Ken Norton was a professional boxing match contested on March 26, 1974, for the WBA, WBC and The Ring heavyweight championships.

Background

Undefeated heavyweight champion

Rumble in the Jungle."[1]

A 3 to 1 underdog, Norton was back in a familiar position, promised less money than Foreman ($200,000 to the $500,000 George was guaranteed), and deemed a solid underdog to the hard-slugging Texan. If Caracas seems like a strange destination to hold a heavyweight boxing event, there was a practical reason it was sought out as the host: an agreement had been reached stipulating all taxes would be waived.[2]

Don King produced the initial guarantee, a $10million letter of credit from Carl Lombardo, a 34‐year‐old Cleveland construction millionaire. King earlier had persuaded Lombardo to put up $400,000 for the Foreman‐Norton bout here.[3]

The fight

The fight would last less than two rounds with Foreman scoring his third consecutive knockout victory to retain the heavyweight titles. The two fighters fought an even first round, but Foreman quickly gained an upper hand in the second and sent Norton to the canvas three times in the round. Foreman stunned Norton about a minute into the round and followed it up with a combination that sent Norton down into the ropes for the first knockdown. Norton was able to continue the fight, but Foreman continued his attack and quickly sent Norton back down with a left hand to the head. Norton would again get back up and continue but was once again attacked by Foreman who put Norton flat on his back with another combination. Norton would get back up, but referee Jimmy Rondeau decided to call the fight and Foreman was declared the victor by

technical knockout (TKO) at exactly two minutes of the second round.[4]

Aftermath

There was considerable controversy after the fight as both fighters ran into unexpected trouble with the Venezuelan government. The fight had been made in Venezuela on the basis that all taxes would be waived. However, a day after the fight, the government reneged the offer and insisted that they collect 18% of the fighter's purses, which was $700,000 for Foreman and $200,000 for Norton. Authorities stopped both men at the airport and neither could leave the country unless they posted bonds for the tax money. Norton settled his dispute first, paying $47,000 in taxes and posting a $60,000 bond which enabled him to leave the country on March 29.[5] Foreman, however, remained in the country as Venezuelan government demanded no less $150,000 in taxes from his purse.[6] After five days of negotiations, Foreman's camp was finally allowed leave on April 1.[7] The tax problems ultimately led to the fight being dubbed "The Caracas Caper."

References

  1. ^ When George was King: Foreman vs Norton 29 year anniversary, Secondsout.com article, Retrieved on 2014-03-29
  2. ^ McCormick, Eliott. "March 26, 1974: Foreman vs Norton". The Fight City. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  3. ^ Anderson, Dave. "Foreman-Ali 5 Million Each". NY Times. NY Times. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Foreman Punches Norton Out in 2— Champion Puts Challenger on Floor 3 Times". Los Angeles Times. March 27, 1974. p. III-1. ("... the champion pounded him to the canvas, forcing the referee to stop the bout at the two-minute mark of the second round.")
  5. ^ Champ, Challenger Expected to Leave Venezuela, Daytona Beach Morning Journal article, Retrieved on 2014-03-30
  6. ^ KO King Foreman Still Waiting for Decision on Taxes, Observer-Reporter article, Retrieved on 2014-03-30
  7. ^ Foreman Party Leaves Venezuela, The Palm Beach Post article, Retrieved on 2014-03-30