Jimmy Young, 56; Boxer Lost Bouts With Norton, Ali, but Beat Foreman

Jimmy Young, 56, a former heavyweight boxer who fought Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton in the 1970s and once beat George Foreman, died Sunday in a Philadelphia hospital. The Philadelphia Daily News said the cause of death was heart disease.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Young compiled a 35-18-3 record with 12 knockouts during a career that lasted from 1969 to 1990. Young lost a championship bout to Ali on April 30, 1976, although some boxing experts disputed the decision. He beat Foreman in a 12-round decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 1977. But many boxing experts say his toughest loss was a split decision to Ken Norton on Nov. 5, 1977, in Las Vegas. Young had reportedly been in failing health for some years with symptoms associated with dementia pugilistica.