The end result was a controversial split-decision win going to Ali. The bout broke out in a firefight over several sequences, while Ali flashed his jab in attempt to try to keep Norton's pressure at bay. The way in which Norton brutalized Ali in their first fight paved the way for a rematch less than seven months later at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Sept. Years later, Norton claimed that he actually fractured Ali's jaw during the final round. Proving how rugged he was, Ali managed to go the distance with the broken jaw, although he suffered a 12th-round split decision defeat, which marked only his second pro loss. When I got back to my corner, there was dark red, bluish blood comin' out of my mouth, but I didn't want to quit because there was too many people involved. All them people paid to get in to see me and all them people on television everywhere." Didn't know it was a broke jaw, but I felt it," Ali said of the second-round shot in the Apissue of Sports Illustrated. "Got hit with a right cross over a left jab. While Norton asserted himself in the ring during the first round, the second round would become his signature career frame, as he blasted Ali so hard that he fractured his jaw. His thudding punches then changed the narrative altogether, as those in attendance in San Diego and the many more watching the nationally televised bout from home would quickly realize that Ali was in serious trouble. While Ali may have stepped foot into the ring thinking he was going to cruise to victory, Norton's chiseled 6-3 frame alone said otherwise. A few months later and "The Greatest" had agreed to meet Norton in the ring, as the bout was cemented to be held at the Sports Arena in San Diego, with Ali's NABF heavyweight title on the line. Ken Norton, a then-29-year-old former marine and sparring partner of Frazier's, got Ali's attention via a ninth-round TKO of Henry Clark in November 1972. That beefed up the then-31-year-old Ali's record to a dazzling 41-1 at the time and looking for his next challenge. Having suffered his first pro loss - to Joe Frazier on MaAli had gone on a 10-fight tear, counting wins against the likes of Jimmy Ellis, Buster Mathis, George Chuvalo and Floyd Patterson during the streak. Norton fights: their Matilt, which had Norton fracturing Ali's jaw and handing the global sports icon his second professional loss. Here's a look back on the first of three Ali vs. However, "The Greatest" had another fight trilogy that tested every ounce of his abilities in the ring, and that opponent was none other than Ken Norton. Joe Frazier is the most synonymous opponent attached to Muhammad Ali's name, as the rivals went toe-to-toe on three different occasions.
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