- On March 31, 1973, a 15-1 underdog, he broke Muhammad Ali's jaw and won an upset 12 round decision.
- Was a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Joe Frazier.
- He was 30-2 when he challenged George Foreman for the heavyweight title in 1974 and was knocked down three times and stopped in 2 rounds.
- Was undefeated in 16 straight fights when he suffered an upset knockout loss to Jose Luis Garcia (I). Norton knocked Garcia in a rematch a few years later.
- World Boxing Council heavyweight champion, 1978.
- Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, 1992.
- Father of Ken Norton Jr. (born 26-Sep-1966), a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers, and Keith Norton, a sports reporter with KPRC-TV Channel 2 in Houston, Texas.
- Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1963 to 1967 where he boxed on the Marine Corps boxing team. He compiled a record of 24-2 with 22 knockouts and won three All-Marine Heavyweight titles.
- Lost a controversial split 15 round decision to lose his heavyweight title to undefeated Larry Holmes.
- Fought Muhammad Ali 3-times, winning once.
- Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1989.
- Knocked-out undefeated Duane Bobick 38-0 in 43 seconds, on national TV.
- Lost his last fight in 43 seconds to Gerry Cooney.
- Inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
- Inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2001.
- Inducted into the California Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Defeated top contenders Jerry Quarry, Jose Luis Garcia, Jimmy Young, Ron Stander and James J. Woody.
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