[kenyan_cheena]

The San Diego
Union-Tribune

SATURDAY 1 JULY 2006

NORTON STOPS BRAVE
DOKES IN 7TH ROUND

Story by Geoff Klein

The International Boxing League's top heavyweight contenders took to the ring for the first time last night at Qualcomm Stadium, on a fight card that was without a doubt the most anticipated of the league's opening series of events. The four bouts were quarter-finals of the IBL's World Heavyweight Championship tournament, San Diego's Ken Norton overcoming a courageous challenge from Michael Dokes in the main event. It had been a heavily hyped contest. Dokes was the aging veteran who had been inactive for eighteen months and so close to world championship glory on more than one occasion during his career, while Norton has been regarded as the division's top dog for the last couple of years and was an unbackable favourite to progress to the semi-finals.

Through a series of articles on television and in print Dokes' story had captured the public's imagination and had many of them cheering for this huge underdog to pull off a miracle victory. It may have been a home game for Norton but there was a healthy level of support for Dokes amongst the crowd, something that was obivous as he made his walk to the ring in a robe of black with white trim. The 33 year-old was smiling and shouting, clearly ecstatic to be back in the spotlight and involved in such a huge fight. By comparison Norton was all business, wearing an assassin's gaze as he traversed Qualcomm's grass field and stepped between the ropes, his robe powder blue and gold in tribute to the Chargers.

After the fight's opening four rounds, those who were praying for a Dokes miracle must have felt hopeful. With the exception of the 3rd Norton did not appear to be his usual, aggressive self. Dokes had pushed himself in training, getting into reasonable shape considering the length of his spell on the sidelines. He was taking the fight to the former WBC champion, outworking him and showing little respect. Late in the 4th a smashing uppercut breached Norton's defenses, caught him flush on the chin and dropped him on his backside. Suddenly the miracle appeared a very real possibility. A bemused Norton was back on his feet at seven, having been given a first-hand example of why Dokes has been known as "Dynamite" for so many years.

The near disaster jogged Norton out of his slumber. He came out strong in the 5th and sent Dokes to the canvas seven seconds from the bell with a crushing left hook, the shot snapping the Ohio native's head around. Dokes made it back to his feet just as the bell sounded to end the round, but the knockdown would prove to be a definitive turning point in the contest. Norton maintained the momentum through a dominant 6th and went to town on the rapidly-tiring Dokes in round seven, catching him with a bunch of power shots before referee Paul Field saved Dokes from any further punishment, Norton a TKO winner at the 2:50 mark. His record improved to 29-2-1(23) while Dokes fell to 33-7-2(24), his winless streak now stretching to seven fights. Norton had outlanded Dokes 201-108 at the time of the stoppage.

Norton paid tribute to his opponent afterwards, praising Dokes' courage and willingness to go toe-to-toe, also remarking that his punching power was greater than he'd expected it to be. But Norton reiterated what he'd said leading into the night, that nothing was going to stop him emerging as the victor. Dokes took the loss well, saying that he was surprised by how competitive he was. He had observers laughing when he spoke of his eyes almost popping out of his head after flooring Norton. He said the outing would give him a lot of confidence and encouragement for his upcoming world ranking bouts, which he was looking forward to with "huge enthusiasm".

(Undercard results to follow within 24 hours)