The Resume

(August 9, 1943-September 18, 2013)
Born in Jacksonville, Illinois
WBC Heavyweight Champion (March 18-June 9, 1978)
Pro record: 42 wins (33 by knockout), 7 losses, 1 draw, 1 no contest
Appeared in the films 'Mandingo' (1975) and 'Drum' (1976) and episodes of 'The A-Team' and 'Knight Rider'

Why he might be annoying:

He became heavyweight champ without a title bout after the WBC stripped Leon Spinks of the title.
He lost his first title defense to Larry Holmes.
Since he never won a title fight, he is omitted from some lists of heavyweight champs.
He turned down the part of Apollo Creed in 'Rocky.'

Why he might not be annoying:

As a high school athlete, he placed first in eight track events, prompting Illinois to limit athletes to a maximum of three events at a single meet.
He attended college on a football scholarship.
He lost a controverisal title bout to Muhammad Ali that was an 8-7 decision for Ali by the judges but scored unofficially by UPI 8-7 for Norton.
He was twice named 'Father of the Year' by the Los Angeles Times.
He suffered a skull fracture in a car accident (1986) and his doctor said he would never walk or talk again. He notes, 'Now I'm talking and walking and I can even chew gum at the same time.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Athletes Who Think They Can Act
• Boxers
• Boxing Hall of Famers (Ranked: 1992)
• Breeders [Have 5 or More Kids] (Ranked: 5)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 18]
• CBC's Top 10 Chips Off the Old Block [October 20, 2005] (Ranked: 8)
• Circus of the Stars: Performers
• Garrett Morris Impersonations
• I am a U.S. Marine
• I Appeared on Muhammad Ali's 50th Birthday Celebration [1992]
• I Died in 2013 (Ranked: 70)
• I Named My Kid After Myself
• I was Involved in a Car Accident in 1986
• Look at Me, I Got My Hands on My Hips
• Look at Me, I'm on the Cover of Sports Illustrated
• Look at Me, I've Got a Boxing Belt
• Look at My Magazine Cover
• Miss Universe Judges (Ranked: 1983)
• People who Have Similar Names on Am I Annoying (Ranked: 786)
• Profiles 24751-25000 (Ranked: 24965)
• Wrestlemania Guests (Ranked: 11)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 10 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 15 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 88 Votes: 65.91% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 34 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 42 Votes: 42.86% Annoying