John Riordan: The marine who broke Muhammad Ali's spell - and his jaw
Muhammad Ali connects a right punch against Ken Norton during the fight at the Sports Arena on March 31,1973 in San Diego. Picture: The Ring Magazine via Getty Images
Ken Norton’s camp chose a good consigliere to sit with the boxer before he took to the ring to defeat Muhammad Ali 50 years ago tonight.
The Illinois heavyweight had sometimes played the role of sparring partner for Joe Frazier and now it was Frazier’s turn to help Norton who was a relatively heavy underdog that day in San Diego.
