Ken Norton vs Scott LeDoux

Ken Norton and Scott LeDoux fought to a ten-round draw at the Metropolitan Sports Centre in Bloomington, Minnesota, on 19 August 1979, after a contest that shifted sharply in its closing stages. Norton weighed 224lb and LeDoux 218lb. The former WBC heavyweight champion entered with a record of 41 victories and six defeats, having been stopped in the first round by Earnie Shavers five months earlier. LeDoux, fighting before his home-state support, had lost a close split decision to Ron Lyle in his previous appearance. The bout was televised nationally by NBC and carried considerable importance for two men attempting to recover their positions among the leading heavyweights.

Norton controlled much of the opening half with his jab and awkward, cross-armed defence. He moved forward behind the left hand, striking LeDoux cleanly while preventing the Minnesotan from establishing a steady attack. LeDoux remained patient, covering, moving and accepting that Norton was doing the more obvious work. He later explained that the intention had been to keep the contest close during the early rounds and wait for the older man to tire. Norton’s punches were accurate, though they lacked the authority that might have completely discouraged LeDoux. The local fighter took repeated jabs but was neither shaken nor forced into a long retreat.

The pattern continued through the middle rounds. Norton, then 36 and no longer at his physical peak, remained the more polished boxer. He used his reach, pushed LeDoux backwards when they came together and generally prevented him from working freely at close quarters. LeDoux’s attack was limited mainly to single rights and short bursts when Norton paused. The action was not fast, but Norton’s steadier scoring appeared to be building him a useful lead. By his own later estimate, he believed he had won every round through the seventh. LeDoux’s corner, however, had not abandoned its original plan and expected the pace to favour their man late.

The eighth round altered the contest. Norton was struck in the eye by a thumb and immediately experienced difficulty with his vision. Whether accidental or otherwise, the incident had a marked effect. Norton became less certain in his movement, his jab lost its earlier regularity, and LeDoux began landing with greater frequency. The home fighter pressed more boldly, forcing Norton to work harder at a time when fatigue was already becoming visible. Norton, who later acknowledged that his preparation had been insufficient, could no longer dictate the distance as he had during the first seven rounds.

LeDoux’s pressure increased in the ninth. A solid right hand drove Norton towards the ropes, and another right landed near the bell. Norton remained upright but was plainly troubled, his responses slower and his defence increasingly dependent upon holding or leaning away. LeDoux, sensing the change, attacked with greater confidence and began finding space for both hands. The difference between the two men was now physical rather than technical. Norton still possessed the better methods, but LeDoux had the stronger legs and the greater reserves.

The final round was almost entirely LeDoux’s. Norton was knocked down early and rose in difficulty, attempting to protect himself while LeDoux pursued him across the ring. The official event record lists Norton as having been floored twice in the tenth. In the closing half-minute, left-right combinations staggered him again and left him hanging helplessly across the ropes as LeDoux continued punching. Referee Wally Holm allowed the action to proceed to the bell, though LeDoux and many at ringside believed the contest should have been stopped. Norton survived the round, but his condition at the finish bore little resemblance to that of the man who had controlled the opening stages.

The scoring produced a split draw. Holm had LeDoux ahead by 95–94, judge Dennis Nelson favoured Norton by 95–94, and LeRoy Benson scored the contest even at 95–95. The decision reflected the unusual division of the fight: Norton had accumulated rounds with his jab and superior boxing, while LeDoux had inflicted the more serious punishment and had come close to stopping him at the finish. LeDoux believed he had done enough and maintained that Norton was finished in the tenth. Norton conceded that he had been in serious trouble but argued that his early advantage had earned the draw. It was the only drawn contest of Norton’s professional career. He announced his retirement the month after his manager, Bob Biron, died, although he returned in 1980. LeDoux went on to challenge Larry Holmes for the WBC championship the following year, his late rally against Norton having established that he could trouble a leading heavyweight when given the opportunity.

I thought the draw flattered Ken Norton. He controlled the early rounds with his jab, but this was not the man who had troubled Muhammad Ali. At 36, after being flattened by Earnie Shavers, the decline was obvious.

Scott LeDoux was crude but strong and patient. Once Norton tired and suffered impaired vision from a thumb in the eighth, LeDoux took over. He landed the heavier punches, dropped Norton twice in the tenth and had him helpless across the ropes near the bell.

Norton banked rounds, but LeDoux inflicted the damage and finished in command. I would have awarded LeDoux the decision.