Foreman had destroyed Joe Frazier in two rounds to become heavyweight champion and stopped José Roman in the first round of his initial defense. His record had reached 39-0 with 36 knockouts, making Norton approximately a 3-1 underdog.
Ali, working at ringside, gave the challenger a better chance than most. Having survived 24 rounds against him, Ali questioned the assumption that Foreman would simply run through a fighter who had caused him so much difficulty.
Trouble Before the Bell
The fight nearly encountered problems before either heavyweight reached the ring. Foreman’s camp wanted an American referee, while Venezuelan officials favored a local official. Jimmy Rondeau eventually received the assignment.
Around fight day, reports surfaced that Foreman had developed a knee problem described as either a sprain or pinched nerve, creating uncertainty about the championship fight proceeding. The issue ceased being an obstacle once the referee dispute was settled.
There was another unusual element hanging over the promotion. Don King was already working toward a Foreman-Ali fight, provided Foreman defeated Norton. Norton therefore had a chance to wreck plans for one of boxing’s biggest possible events, though he never came close.
The first round gave Norton some room to box, but the champion began trapping him more effectively as the fight progressed. The game plan depended upon movement and avoiding prolonged exchanges.
Early in the second round, that strategy completely collapsed. Foreman trapped Norton near the ropes and hammered him with a series of clubbing power shots. The ropes kept Norton upright during part of the assault before he went down repeatedly.
Norton’s corner signaled that it had seen enough, prompting Rondeau to stop the fight at 2:00 of the second round. A fighter who had gone 24 competitive rounds with Ali had lasted less than five minutes with Foreman.
Purses and the Caracas Caper
Financial figures showed Foreman reportedly earning approximately $700,000, while Norton received around $200,000. The story did not end when the purses were distributed.
The promotion had been brought to Venezuela partly through assurances involving tax exemptions. Venezuelan authorities subsequently demanded approximately 18 percent of the fighters’ earnings.
Both men were prevented from simply leaving the country while the dispute was unresolved. Norton settled his situation and departed around March 29, but Foreman remained for several additional days as negotiations continued with American diplomatic officials becoming involved in what became known as the “Caracas Caper.”
The bout was staged at Caracas’ Poliedro arena. Historical accounts differ on the attendance, while the financial dispute surrounding the promotion soon attracted nearly as much attention as the gate itself.
Inside the ring, there was little ambiguity. Foreman had destroyed Frazier, Roman, and Norton in consecutive heavyweight title fights, needing only six combined rounds. Norton’s success against Ali suddenly provided an irresistible comparison: Ali had needed 24 rounds against Norton and lost once; Foreman had required less than two.
Seven months later, Ali would travel to Zaire and attempt to solve the heavyweight champion Norton could not survive.
