Ken Norton vs. Larry Holmes was a professional boxing match contested on June 9, 1978, for the WBC heavyweight title.

[1] Multiple-time heavyweight title challenger and number-one ranked contender Ken Norton earned his fourth world title shot after defeating the number-two ranked contender Jimmy Young by a close split decision in a 15-round "eliminator" bout on November 15, 1977.

Though he was now mandated by the WBC to face Norton in his next defense, then-undisputed heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali had already agreed to face the winner of the Leon Spinks–Alfio Righetti fight that was scheduled on November 18, 1977, only three days after Norton's victory over Young, which Spinks ultimately won.

[2] The WBC threatened to strip Ali of their heavyweight title should he go forth with his planned match against Spinks instead of facing Norton, but eventually relented, instead sanctioning the Ali–Spinks fight as long as Ali, the expected winner, agreed to negotiate with Norton and then face him after his expected victory over Spinks.

Though Norton stated he was "insulted" by the offer, he chose to accept it, effectively calling Arum and Spinks' bluff, who had hoped he would decline so they could pursue the lucrative rematch with Ali.

Holmes got off to a quick start winning four of the first five rounds as he served as the aggressor while Norton took a more defense and tactical approach.

With both fighters starting to tire, Holmes got back on track taking both the 12th and 13th rounds, staggering Norton twice in the latter.