On June 9, 1978, Larry Holmes and Kenny Norton met at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in a WBC Heavyweight Championship bout that would determine, for all intents and purposes, who would lay claim to recognition as the best heavyweight in the world. Ali was on a permanent decline, losing and ultimately regaining the WBA crown in a forgettable series with Leon Spinks. No one at ringside for those two bouts, Ali’s marvelous legend notwithstanding, would confuse them with Norton, Holmes or any of the top flight heavyweights contending to succeed Ali as the recognized preeminent heavyweight in the world. [details]
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