By April 1997 he had compiled an unbeaten record of 17 wins against no defeats and only one draw (against Chris Woollas) and had earned a shot at the Commonwealth cruiserweight title.
The reign would not last for long however as a challenge by another South African fighter Sebastiaan Rothmann, in his first defence ended in a new champion and a second career defeat for the man from the Midlands after the fight was stopped in the 8th round.
Three more victories followed against Darron Griffiths, Lee Swaby and Paul Bonson before lining himself up for a second tilt at the commonwealth cruiserweight title against current champion Mark Hobson.
A victory over former opponent Chris Woollas followed before in December 2004 he met experienced Paul Bonson for the second time in a challenge for the British Masters cruiserweight title.
It wasn't until October 2008 that Norton fought again, this time in a challenge for the vacant British cruiserweight title previously held by recently retired Mark Hobson.
[3] On 13 November 2009 Norton defeated former European title challenger Ismail Abdoul in a non-title fight before meeting Dolan again on 15 January 2010 at the leisure centre in Altrincham.