Norton Vs Bobick May 11, 1977 New York N.Y.

Fight Recap by:  Shawn Matsko

  Ken Norton was having his first fight since his highly controversial loss to Muhammad Ali the previous September. Originally Norton was to face Ron Lyle while Ali fought Duane Bobick. Ali couldn't make up his mind whether he was retired or not so they made Bobick and Ken Norton. Ali later signed to face Alfredo Evangelista. The less said about that the better. Norton was 37-4 with 30 knockouts. He was still not a happy camper over the Ali decision. Duane Bobick, the 1972 Olympian was 38-0 with 30 knockouts and was on the cusp of becoming the latest "White Hope". Given that they had similar numbers the fight was considered pick-em. Bobick was even profiled in People Magazine as a real life "Rocky". So close was the identification that just prior to to the showing of the fight, Sylvester Stallone narrated a clip in which he showed how he choreographed the movie's fight scenes.

    Was Bobick a real life Rocky? Here was the answer.     Important punches in all caps.

Round 1-The bell rings and this fight is under way. Both fighter throw light jabs. Norton lands an uppercut! Bobick is stunned! Norton Bulls Bobick into the ropes! He blasts Bobick with right hands! Bobick tries to escape! Another right uppercut by Norton! BOBICK CRASHES TO THE CANVAS! He tries to get up! He can't make it! THE FIGHT IS OVER THAT QUICK!
NORTON TKO-1

  It didn't last long enough to even be considered a fight. Norton was still hot and bothered about the Ali decision and took it out on Duane Bobick. But still, it was very rare to see Ken Norton take an opponent out in 1 round. Let alone one minute of one round. Norton usually broke an opponent down over 5 to 7 rounds before taking him out. With the possible exception of Spring and Fall of 1973 Ken Norton was never higher than he was in 1977 to the Boxing Public. He would go on to wins over Lorenzo Zanon and Jimmy Young later in the year. It was pretty much over for Bobick. His chin didn't hold up much better against Kallie Knoetze or Big John Tate either. Bobick didn't fight anymore after losing to George Chaplin on cuts. Duane Bobick's spectacular crash made it very difficult for the white fighters who came after him like Gerry Cooney, Tommy "the Duke" Morrison, and Joe Mesi.