Ken Norton vs Scott LeDoux

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">Norton vs. LeDoux was televised live on NBC. Each fighter had lost his previous bout. LeDoux lost to Ron Lyle by a 10-round split decision, and Norton was stopped in one round by Earnie Shavers. LeDoux was at his peak period for this bout, which was 1976-80. Norton was past his prime. Norton's peak was 1973-78. Norton took a thumb in the eye during the eighth round which immediately changed the bout. Norton had trouble seeing for the rest of the fight as LeDoux rallied (LeDoux started landing more blows and soon after Norton became fatigued as a result). Norton discussed in his autobiography, Going the Distance, that he should have put more effort into training for this bout. This was the only draw of Norton's career and the fourth draw for LeDoux. One previous draw for LeDoux was against former Olympic Gold Medalist Leon Spinks in October 1977. Four months later, Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali to win the World Heavyweight Championship.Norton announced his retirement following the death of his manager, Bob Biron, in September, saying, "I can't go on without Bob." Norton returned to the ring in 1980. "I wasn't happy with the way I retired," he said. Norton retired for good after getting knocked out in one round by Gerry Cooney in 1981. In his next fight, LeDoux lost to USBA heavyweight titlist Mike Weaver by a 12-round decision. After outpointing the undefeated Marty Monroe, LeDoux got a title shot against WBC heavyweight champion Larry Holmes in 1980. Holmes stopped LeDoux in seven rounds.