MORGAN COUNTY FAIR
Jacksonville, Illinois
Boxer Knocked Out By Birthday Gala 'It makes me love this city even more' says Ken Norton Sr. of event Journal-Courier
It was “a moveable” feast, boxing giant Ken Norton said of a gala dinner party Friday night that kicked off a two-day celebration of his 65th birthday in Jacksonville. A diverse crowd of Jacksonville civic and business leaders, friends and family members, former classmates, several fans from England, sports industry representatives and celebrities from the boxing world and Hollywood joined in the celebration at Hamilton’s. “So far, the reception has been unbelievable,” Mr. Norton said. “All these people coming together to help me honor my 65 years, to me, it’s very touching. It’s moveable. “It is very surprising. It’s very uplifting, and it makes me love this city even more.” Mr. Norton added. “As a child it was different. As I grew up, I learned more and became more acquainted with the people of the city. I’ve learned to love it. That’s why I came back.” With 180 tickets, at $75 apiece, sold in advance of the formal dinner, Mr. Norton’s birthday celebration was well on its way to being the “knockout” bash it was billed as. Celebrities attending included, Earnie Shavers, the hardest puncher in heavyweight history; Ernie Terrell, a former WBA world heavyweight boxing champion; and actresses Lauren Chapin, who played Kathy Anderson on the 1950s “Father Knows Best” television series; and Debi Storm, who starred on a variety of television series, including “Dr. Kildare,” “The Big Valley,” “Green Acres,” “Dallas,” “The Fugitive” and “The Brady Bunch.” Carol Connors, an Oscar nominee and co-writer of the “Rocky” theme song, “Gonna Fly Now,” and Mark Scott, former lead singer of The Miracles, along with local entertainers, Annabelle Blue, Ed McPike and Tia McPike, provided musical entertainment. Mayor Ron Tendick welcomed back “Jacksonville’s native son” and read a proclamation recognizing Mr. Norton’s outstanding boxing career, his service in the United States Marine Corps and his athletic accomplishments at Jacksonville High School.
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Legendary boxers will lead a parade of celebrated heroes at Fight For Children’s 18th Annual Fight Night Legendary boxers Ken Norton, Hector Camacho Sr., Gerry Cooney, Buster Douglas, Roberto Duran, Joe Frazier, Jake LaMotta, Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini, Aaron Pryor and Michael Spinks will lead a parade of celebrated heroes at Fight For Children’s 18th Annual Fight Night. The event will also feature the induction of LaMotta into the newly-created Fight Night Hall of Fame, recognizing his enthusiastic support of Fight For Children’s fight for the low-income children of Washington. One of the most eagerly anticipated events in the nation’s capital, Fight Night brings together the heavyweights of business and government, entertainment and community service, as well as these legends of boxing, for an action-packed evening of fun, philanthropy and professional boxing.
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