Jersey Joe Walcott, Boxing Champion, Dies at 80 - NYTimes.com Jersey Joe Walcott, Boxing Champion, Dies at 80 By RICHARD D. LYONS Published: February 27, 1994 Jersey Joe Walcott, the son of poor immigrants from Barbados who was to slug his way out of poverty and into the record books as the oldest fighter to win the heavyweight championship of the world, died Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, N.J., where he lived. He was 80. The cause of death was complications from diabetes, said a nephew, Richard Cream. Walcott, whose real name was Arnold Raymond Cream, was known as an athlete of grit and dignity, a man who turned professional at the age of 16 and who would not quit until he had won the heavyweight title after trying and failing four times. "I always felt in my heart that God would give it to me," Walcott recalled years later.

And on July 18, 1951, at age 37, he knocked out Ezzard Charles -- an opponent who had already beaten Walcott twice -- in the seventh round of a title match in Forbes Field in Pittsburgh to attain his goal. Knocked Down Joe Louis Walcott was also known as the fighter who knocked down Joe Louis three times. Indeed, many fight fans thought Walcott beat Louis in a match on Dec. 5, 1947, at Madison Square Garden when he knocked down Louis twice, but Louis got up to hold on for a 15-round split decision. Even Louis seemed surprised by the verdict, at first starting to leave the ring apparently thinking he had lost. Then, after the decision was announced, Louis went over to Walcott's corner and said, "Joe, I'm sorry." Walcott and his supporters sought to have the decision reversed a week later in an appeal to the New York State Athletic Commission, but it stood. In the rematch at Yankee Stadium the next year, Walcott knocked Louis to the canvas again, but Louis knocked Walcott out in the 11th round.

In 1949, Charles outpointed Walcott for the title that Louis had vacated, and Charles outpointed him again in 1951. Four months later, Walcott took the title away with a left hook to Charles's chin. Walcott was to beat Charles again a year later. Lost Title at Age 38 Walcott's title was to last only 13 more rounds. At the age of 38, ahead on points, and dominating the bout, Walcott was knocked out by Rocky Marciano on Sept. 23, 1952, in what Marciano regarded as the toughest bout of his career. Marciano won the rematch in 1953 in the first round, in what was to be Walcott's last fight. The bout also put Walcott in the record books again: as having lost more heavyweight title bouts -- six -- than any other fighter. Walcott fought 67 times, winning 18 bouts by decisions, 30 by knockouts and 1 by a foul. He lost 11 decisions, was knocked out 6 times and fought 1 draw.

He was one of 12 children born to Joseph Cream, who came to the United States from Barbados at the age of 11. The fight career of Walcott, who was born and raised in Merchantsville, N.J., started in 1930 when he named himself Joe Walcott for a welterweight from Barbados who was a friend of the family. Meager Purses in Early Days In 1936, Jack Dempsey staged a heavyweight show at Coney Island, and Walcott drew the attention of New York fight fans for the first time. Weighing 180 pounds, Walcott knocked out an up-and-coming fighter named Larry LaPage in the third round. "I had been fighting 17 years before I made more than $300," Walcott was to say years later in recalling his boyhood poverty and the meager purses in his early ring career, which he supplemented by working as a laborer in a Camden shipyard. For a time, he even had to resort to public welfare payments to support his growing family.

After retiring, Walcott was a fight referee for a time, became Sheriff of Camden County and then chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. He devoted most of his retirement days to directing special projects for the New Jersey State Department of Community Affairs, aiding handicapped and retarded children. He is survived by two sons, Arnold Cream Jr. and the Rev. Vincent Cream, both of Camden; three daughters, Elva Kimbrough of Cinnaminson, N.J., Ruth Cream and Carol Cream, both of Pennsauken, N.J.; a brother, Robert Cream of Lindenwold, N.J.; two sisters, Naomi Holmes of Delair, N.J., and Barbara Gray of Camden, 20 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Photo: Jersey Joe Walcott fighting Ezzard Charles, the heavyweight champion, in 1951. Walcott won the title by a knockout in the seventh round. (Associated Press) Jersey Joe Walcott (Heavyweight) - Pics, Videos, Dating, & News Jersey Joe Walcott Arnold Raymond Cream, better known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was a world heavyweight boxing champion.

related links Learn about the memorable moments in the evolution of Jersey Joe Walcott. CHILDHOOD 1914 Birth Born on January 31, 1914. TEENAGE 1930 16 Years Old He debuted as a professional boxer on September 9, 1930, fighting Cowboy Wallace and winning by a knockout in round one. 1933 19 Years Old After five straight knockout wins, in 1933, he lost for the first time, beaten on points by Henry Wilson in Philadelphia. … Read More He built a record of 45 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw before challenging for the world title for the first time. Walcott lost early bouts against world-class competition. He lost a pair of fights to Tiger Jack Fox and was knocked out by contender Abe Simon. Read Less THIRTIES 1945 - 1947 3 More Events 1945 31 Years Old But that would change in 1945 when Walcott beat top heavyweights such as Joe Baksi, Lee Q. Murray, Curtis Sheppard and Jimmy Bivins.

1946 32 Years Old He closed out 1946 with a pair of losses to former light heavyweight champ Joey Maxim and heavyweight contender Elmer Ray, but promptly avenged those defeats in 1947. 1947 33 Years Old On December 5, 1947, he fought Joe Louis, at thirty three years of age breaking the record as the oldest man to fight for the world heavyweight title. … Read More Despite dropping Louis in round one, and again in round four, he lost a 15-round split decision. Read Less 1948 34 Years Old Most ringside observers and boxing writers felt Walcott deserved the win, and so there was a rematch on June 25, 1948, when Louis prevailed, this time by a knockout in round 11. 1949 35 Years Old June 22 of 1949, Walcott got another chance to become world heavyweight champion, when he and Ezzard Charles met for the title left vacant by Louis. … Read More However, Charles prevailed, winning by decision in 15 rounds.

Read Less 1950 36 Years Old Walcott, disappointed but eager to see his dream of being a champion come true, went on, and in 1950, he won four of his five bouts, including a three-round knockout of future world light heavyweight champion Harold Johnson. 1951 37 Years Old On March 7, 1951, he and Charles fought for a second time and again Charles won a 15-round decision to retain his world title. … Read More But on July 18, he joined a handful of boxers who claimed the world title in their fifth try, when he knocked out Charles in seven rounds in Pittsburgh, to finally become world's heavyweight champion, at the relatively old age of 37. This made him the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight crown (a distinction he would hold until George Foreman won the title at age 45 in 1994).<br /><br /> Walcott retained the title with a 15-round decision victory against arch-enemy Charles.

Read Less 1952 38 Years Old On September 23, 1952, he defended his title for the second time. … Read More His opponent was the undefeated Rocky Marciano. In the first round Marciano was knocked down for the first time in his career, with a left hook from Walcott. Walcott was clearly ahead in the scoring and Marciano needed a knockout to win, according to two of the three official scorecards. In the thirteenth round with Marciano pressuring Walcott against the ropes, both threw simultaneous right hands. Marciano landed his punch first on WalcottÂ´s jaw in what is considered one of the hardest punches thrown in boxing history. Walcott collapsed with his arm hanging over the ropes then fell to the canvas where he was counted out. Read Less 1953 39 Years Old There was a rematch in Chicago, on May 15, 1953, and the second time around, Walcott was again defeated by Marciano by a knockout in the first round. FORTIES 1956 42 Years Old He did not go away from the celebrity scene after boxing.

In 1956, he co-starred with Humphrey Bogart and Max Baer in the boxing drama The Harder They Fall. 1963 49 Years Old In 1963, he tried professional wrestling, losing to Lou Thesz. … Read More Thesz pinned Walcott in the fifth round, but has stated that Walcott knocked him (Thesz) down and most likely out in that fifth round. As he fell to the floor, he relied on instinct, grabbing Walcott's knees, taking him down with him and stretching him out for the pin. Read Less FIFTIES 1965 51 Years Old In 1965, Walcott refereed the controversial world heavyweight championship rematch between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston. … Read More Walcott lost the count as Ali circled around a floored Liston and Walcott tried to get him back to a neutral corner. Then Walcott looked outside the ring (presumably to the ringside count keeper) as Ali and Liston went at each other before Walcott instructed them to keep on fighting, then Walcott approached the fighters and abruptly stopped the fight.

Walcott was never again appointed as a referee after this bout. Read Less 1968 54 Years Old After retiring, Walcott worked for the Camden County corrections department. In 1968, he ran for Sheriff of Camden County, but lost in the Democratic primary to Spencer H. Smith, Jr. That same year he was named director of community relations for Camden. Show Less … After retiring from boxing, Walcott did some acting, playing small parts in a few movies and television shows. He also refereed several boxing matches, but after the controversial ending to the second fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, Walcott was not asked to referee again. Read Less From 1971 to 1974, Walcott held the elected position of Camden County, New Jersey, sheriff, the first African-American to do so. In 1971, he ran again for Camden County Sheriff. … Read More He defeated Republican William Strang in the general election. He was the first African-American to serve as Sheriff in Camden County.

Read Less LATE ADULTHOOD Rocky Marciano // Official Web Site Origionally posted on ESPN.com on September 21, 2005 By Tim Struby Special to ESPN.com Decades before Rocky Balboa fought a fictitious bout at the Philadelphia Spectrum, the authentic, original Rocky endured one of the all-time great battles en route to the world heavyweight title at Philadelphia Municipal Stadium. The date was Sept. 23, 1952. Heading into the late rounds, 29-year-old contender Rocky Marciano already had been knocked down for the first time in his career. His quest for a 43rd career victory without a loss appeared in jeopardy. But when Marciano dropped champion Jersey Joe Walcott "like flour out of a chute" in the 13th round, the new heavyweight king forever cemented his legend in the annals of boxing lore. Even today, graying boxing fans speak of Marciano with an almost religious reverence, always noting first and foremost the "equalizer" that was the heavyweight's right hand. Marciano was small for a "big fellow," standing a mere 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds.

He moved with the grace of a man trudging through a bog. But the Brockton, Mass., native's right could, by all accounts, take down a Loxodonta Africana. Well, perhaps not an elephant, but certainly an opposing pugilist. "He was brutally strong," says sportswriter John Schulian, who grew up following Marciano. "When you got hit you stayed hit." Yet it is the talk of "The Streak" that Marciano's devotees savor, his unbeaten run that began in March of 1947 with a third-round knockout of Lee Epperson. That KO became Marciano's calling card, which he delivered personally to 43 victims. That swath of destruction included Walcott (twice), Ezzard Charles, Joe Louis and finally, on Sept. 21, 1955, in the ninth round of the seventh defense of Marciano's world title, Archie Moore. Then, with an unblemished 49-0 record, Rocky Marciano hung up his leathers for good -- retiring as the only undefeated heavyweight champion in history. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that achievement.

It is one of sport's most hallowed accomplishments. Yet some historians have opted to resist the Marciano bandwagon. As one famed trainer reportedly said, "Show me a fighter who's undefeated and I'll show you a fighter who hasn't fought anybody." The critics' primary grievance has always been the age of Marciano's aforementioned marquee opponents (all of them were easily old enough to run for president). Yet age does not always bespeak talent. "Sure Charles wasn't the fighter he once was and Louis was shot," said boxing historian and former ESPN analyst Max Kellerman. "But for their first fight, Walcott was in his prime and Moore was a legitimate contender into his 40s." Some detractors claim Marciano benefited from favoritism. Some allege that slick, undefeated heavyweight Roland LaStarza was robbed in his first bout with Marciano. There is some validity to the accusation that Marciano might have found himself the beneficiary of a bit of luck, but luck is an inherent part of any monumental streak. Even Joe DiMaggio benefited from luck during his 56-game hitting streak when -- on two occasions -- borderline errors were ruled hits.

Others, such as Don King matchmaker Eric Bottjer, question the validity of Marciano's unbeaten record. "The streak is bogus," he said. "It's not unique. Gene Tunney had a longer unbeaten streak [52 fights], and Marciano wasn't the only champion to retire undefeated; just look at flyweight Ricardo Lopez [ret. 2001]." Although both claims are true, both Tunney and Lopez incurred a "blemish" -- a draw -- during their respective streaks. But even Marciano's most stringent naysayers acknowledge the streak is significant on many fronts. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is the mode in which he disposed of his foes, as if he took it personally that they were trying to blemish his record. His 88 percent career knockout rate surpasses that of Mike Tyson (78 percent), Sonny Liston (78 percent) and far exceeds that of Muhammad Ali (66 percent). Secondly, even critics acknowledge that 49 consecutive victories speaks of Marciano's indefatigable work ethic.

Marciano's monastic training regimen was no secret; the man so easy with a smile out of the ring conditioned himself with a seriousness like no other heavyweight in history. Long runs and healthy living were a part of daily life. Marciano ignored the distractions of money and fame. But the single-most impressive aspect of the streak was not a result of Marciano's action, but his restraint. Unlike so many other fighters in history, he resisted temptation to step back in the ring. Considering the toll fighting takes on the body, retirement would seem like the most appealing option. It is not. For one, there are obvious fiscal considerations. Few fighters have ever donned gloves to climb out of the suburbs, including Marciano, whose devotion to the dollar bespoke of his impoverished childhood in the shadow of the Brockton shoe factories. "It's so hard to retire undefeated," says HBO analyst Larry Merchant. "You used to work so hard for peanuts and now you're getting your due. When you're at the top, a marquee name, you think one or two more fights couldn't hurt." It often does, however. Merely look at Tyson, Larry Holmes and particularly Ali. But there is more to it than a bottom line.

Fighting is, simply, what fighters do best. For some, it's all they know. It's who they are. Champions are master craftsmen, using their hands in lieu of a brush or a pen. Imagine if Picasso put away his oils at the height of his fame? Or that Hemmingway never wrote another book after "The Sun Also Rises"? Stepping out of the ring undefeated might just be the hardest decision a fighter makes in his life. "There's the old saying that every athlete dies twice," said Schulian. "Once, when he takes his last breath and the other when he hangs it up." Why then, did Marciano retire when he did? Experts have cited a number of reasons. His lumbering style -- preventing longevity -- might have been a factor. There was also a dearth of quality opposition. And there was Marciano's bitterness after discovering manager Al Weill had his hands in the proverbial cookie jar. Yet the reasons might run deeper. Though far from a man of letters -- as a teenager, Marciano opted to spend his days at James Edgar Playground rather than his high school -- a lack of education never squelched his powerful sense of pride.

"He wasn't aware of the importance of the legacy," says biographer Everett Skehan, whose book on Marciano, "Undefeated: Rocky Marciano -- The Fighter Who Refused To Lose" is being released this fall. "But he knew he wouldn't end his career with a loss." Marciano's career perfection remains one of the monumental individual streaks in sports history. But on this, the 50th anniversary of his retirement, where does this streak stand in comparison to others? The answer is not easy, as there's no computer program or mathematical formula for such a question. Polling sports fans on the significance of streaks is similar to polling a roomful of economists about the country's current standing. It's a safe bet they'll all somehow provide different, yet equally persuasive answers. Record books hold notable individual sports streaks as varied as a Ben and Jerry's sampler. Were Marciano's fights more exhausting than Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories? Did winning 49 bouts without a loss require more concentration than Tiger Woods' 142 straight tournaments without missing the cut? Did Marciano exercise as much patience as Orel Hershiser did in recording 59 consecutive scoreless innings?

Was it a greater show of endurance than Brett Favre's 227 consecutive starts (regular and postseason as of Sept. 21) at quarterback? Did Marciano exhibit any more talent than DiMaggio did during his 56-game hitting streak? The answer to all of the questions is yes, no and maybe. Streaks are subjective in nature, valued in varying degrees by those who hold them in esteem. One man's miracle is another man's matter-of-fact accomplishment. Until sports fans no longer look upon Marciano's streak as one of the all-time greatest, it will remain one of the all-time greatest. When the Brockton native died in a 1969 plane crash, he wasn't considered the best heavyweight in history. That has not changed. Boxing cognoscenti have never held Marciano in the iconic class of Johnson, Dempsey and Ali. But retiring undefeated, as no other heavyweight fighter had before or has since, has elevated a simple man from Brockton to a status all his own.

"His streak doesn't make him a greater fighter," said Merchant, "but a larger figure." And as the modern fight game changes, with boxers finding themselves with fewer and fewer opportunities to prove themselves in the ring, Marciano's 49-0 streak might remain in the record books as long as it will in the memories of the fans who adore him. Tim Struby covers boxing for ESPN The Magazine. Marciano's career mark unique but flawed? Marciano's career mark unique but flawed? comment Decades before Rocky Balboa fought a fictitious bout at the Philadelphia Spectrum, the authentic, original Rocky endured one of the all-time great battles en route to the world heavyweight title at Philadelphia Municipal Stadium. The date was Sept. 23, 1952. Heading into the late rounds, 29-year-old contender Rocky Marciano already had been knocked down for the first time in his career. His quest for a 43rd career victory without a loss appeared in jeopardy. But when Marciano dropped champion Jersey Joe Walcott "like flour out of a chute" in the 13th round, the new heavyweight king forever cemented his legend in the annals of boxing lore.

Even today, graying boxing fans speak of Marciano with an almost religious reverence, always noting first and foremost the "equalizer" that was the heavyweight's right hand. Marciano was small for a "big fellow," standing a mere 5-foot-10 and weighing 185 pounds. He moved with the grace of a man trudging through a bog. But the Brockton, Mass., native's right could, by all accounts, take down a Loxodonta Africana. Well, perhaps not an elephant, but certainly an opposing pugilist. "He was brutally strong," says sportswriter John Schulian, who grew up following Marciano. "When you got hit you stayed hit." Yet it is the talk of "The Streak" that Marciano's devotees savor, his unbeaten run that began in March of 1947 with a third-round knockout of Lee Epperson. That KO became Marciano's calling card, which he delivered personally to 43 victims. That swath of destruction included Walcott (twice), Ezzard Charles, Joe Louis and finally, on Sept.

21, 1955, in the ninth round of the seventh defense of Marciano's world title, Archie Moore. Then, with an unblemished 49-0 record, Rocky Marciano hung up his leathers for good -- retiring as the only undefeated heavyweight champion in history. This year marks the 50th anniversary of that achievement. It is one of sport's most hallowed accomplishments. Yet some historians have opted to resist the Marciano bandwagon. As one famed trainer reportedly said, "Show me a fighter who's undefeated and I'll show you a fighter who hasn't fought anybody." The critics' primary grievance has always been the age of Marciano's aforementioned marquee opponents (all of them were easily old enough to run for president). Yet age does not always bespeak talent. "Sure Charles wasn't the fighter he once was and Louis was shot," said boxing historian and former ESPN analyst Max Kellerman. "But for their first fight, Walcott was in his prime and Moore was a legitimate contender into his 40s." Some detractors claim Marciano benefited from favoritism. Some allege that slick, undefeated heavyweight Roland LaStarza was robbed in his first bout with Marciano.

There is some validity to the accusation that Marciano might have found himself the beneficiary of a bit of luck, but luck is an inherent part of any monumental streak. Even Joe DiMaggio benefited from luck during his 56-game hitting streak when -- on two occasions -- borderline errors were ruled hits. Others, such as Don King matchmaker Eric Bottjer, question the validity of Marciano's unbeaten record. "The streak is bogus," he said. "It's not unique. Gene Tunney had a longer unbeaten streak [52 fights], and Marciano wasn't the only champion to retire undefeated; just look at flyweight Ricardo Lopez [ret. 2001]." Although both claims are true, both Tunney and Lopez incurred a "blemish" -- a draw -- during their respective streaks. But even Marciano's most stringent naysayers acknowledge the streak is significant on many fronts. The first, and perhaps most obvious, is the mode in which he disposed of his foes, as if he took it personally that they were trying to blemish his record.

His 88 percent career knockout rate surpasses that of Mike Tyson (78 percent), Sonny Liston (78 percent) and far exceeds that of Muhammad Ali (66 percent). Secondly, even critics acknowledge that 49 consecutive victories speaks of Marciano's indefatigable work ethic. Marciano's monastic training regimen was no secret; the man so easy with a smile out of the ring conditioned himself with a seriousness like no other heavyweight in history. Long runs and healthy living were a part of daily life. Marciano ignored the distractions of money and fame. But the single-most impressive aspect of the streak was not a result of Marciano's action, but his restraint. Unlike so many other fighters in history, he resisted temptation to step back in the ring. Considering the toll fighting takes on the body, retirement would seem like the most appealing option. It is not. For one, there are obvious fiscal considerations. Few fighters have ever donned gloves to climb out of the suburbs, including Marciano, whose devotion to the dollar bespoke of his impoverished childhood in the shadow of the Brockton shoe factories. "It's so hard to retire undefeated," says HBO analyst Larry Merchant.

"You used to work so hard for peanuts and now you're getting your due. When you're at the top, a marquee name, you think one or two more fights couldn't hurt." It often does, however. Merely look at Tyson, Larry Holmes and particularly Ali. But there is more to it than a bottom line. Fighting is, simply, what fighters do best. For some, it's all they know. It's who they are. Champions are master craftsmen, using their hands in lieu of a brush or a pen. Imagine if Picasso put away his oils at the height of his fame? Or that Hemmingway never wrote another book after "The Sun Also Rises"? Stepping out of the ring undefeated might just be the hardest decision a fighter makes in his life. "There's the old saying that every athlete dies twice," said Schulian. "Once, when he takes his last breath and the other when he hangs it up." Why then, did Marciano retire when he did? Experts have cited a number of reasons. His lumbering style -- preventing longevity -- might have been a factor. There was also a dearth of quality opposition.

And there was Marciano's bitterness after discovering manager Al Weill had his hands in the proverbial cookie jar. Yet the reasons might run deeper. Though far from a man of letters -- as a teenager, Marciano opted to spend his days at James Edgar Playground rather than his high school -- a lack of education never squelched his powerful sense of pride. "He wasn't aware of the importance of the legacy," says biographer Everett Skehan, whose book on Marciano, "Undefeated: Rocky Marciano -- The Fighter Who Refused To Lose" is being released this fall. "But he knew he wouldn't end his career with a loss." Marciano's career perfection remains one of the monumental individual streaks in sports history. But on this, the 50th anniversary of his retirement, where does this streak stand in comparison to others? The answer is not easy, as there's no computer program or mathematical formula for such a question. Polling sports fans on the significance of streaks is similar to polling a roomful of economists about the country's current standing. It's a safe bet they'll all somehow provide different, yet equally persuasive answers. Record books hold notable individual sports streaks as varied as a Ben and Jerry's sampler.

Were Marciano's fights more exhausting than Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories? Did winning 49 bouts without a loss require more concentration than Tiger Woods' 142 straight tournaments without missing the cut? Did Marciano exercise as much patience as Orel Hershiser did in recording 59 consecutive scoreless innings? Was it a greater show of endurance than Brett Favre's 227 consecutive starts (regular and postseason as of Sept. 21) at quarterback? Did Marciano exhibit any more talent than DiMaggio did during his 56-game hitting streak? The answer to all of the questions is yes, no and maybe. Streaks are subjective in nature, valued in varying degrees by those who hold them in esteem. One man's miracle is another man's matter-of-fact accomplishment. Until sports fans no longer look upon Marciano's streak as one of the all-time greatest, it will remain one of the all-time greatest. When the Brockton native died in a 1969 plane crash, he wasn't considered the best heavyweight in history. That has not changed. Boxing cognoscenti have never held Marciano in the iconic class of Johnson, Dempsey and Ali.

But retiring undefeated, as no other heavyweight fighter had before or has since, has elevated a simple man from Brockton to a status all his own. "His streak doesn't make him a greater fighter," said Merchant, "but a larger figure." And as the modern fight game changes, with boxers finding themselves with fewer and fewer opportunities to prove themselves in the ring, Marciano's 49-0 streak might remain in the record books as long as it will in the memories of the fans who adore him. Tim Struby covers boxing for ESPN The Magazine. June 25, 1948 : Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott Introduction On June 25, 1948, Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott to retain the heavyweight championship. Louis’ challenger, Jersey Joe Walcott, was a veteran fighter who was finally getting a shot at the title. Born Arnold Cream, he started his boxing career at the age of 16 in his native New Jersey, taking the name “Jersey Joe Walcott” after the boxer Joe Walcott from Barbados.

As a young fighter, Walcott was invited to train with Joe Louis in Chicago, but a bout of typhoid fever forced him to remain at home and miss his first opportunity to spar with the champ. Because of pervasive prejudice in boxing in the 1930s and 40s, the African-American Walcott struggled to book the fights with established boxers that would advance his career. Despite his impressive talent, he wasn’t able to achieve a top 10 ranking until he was 31. Walcott and Louis first fought in December 1947, when Louis won a 15-round decision in which he struggled to counter Walcott’s unorthodox style. Louis was knocked down in the first and fourth rounds, and many in the 18,000-strong Madison Square Garden crowd believed he had lost the fight. The public demanded a rematch. Louis was two pounds heavier for the rematch, which he said would be his last go-round in the ring. Again, he struggled with Walcott’s style, unable to punish him as he had the lesser fighters of his so-called “bum of the month” club in the early 1940s.

As the match entered its final rounds, Louis was trailing in points, and needed a knockout punch to retain the title he had held since 1937. To the surprise of many in the audience, the champ was able once again to summon his legendary power and hit Walcott with a right to the jaw that knocked him unconscious. It was the 25th and final time that Louis successfully defended his belt. Louis announced his retirement in March 1949, and with it, vacated his heavyweight belts. Jersey Joe Walcott fought Ezzard Charles for the vacant heavyweight title on June 22, 1949, and lost a 15-round decision. Walcott again lost to Charles on March 7, 1951, but finally won the belt in his fifth chance, when he knocked out Charles on July 18, 1951. Walcott’s first fight and only win as champion was a fourth fight against Charles on June 5, 1952. He lost his belt for good in his second defense to Rocky Marciano on September 23, 1952.

The next year, Rocky Marciano knocked out Walcott in the first round of their rematch. Louis returned to fight for the heavyweight title on September 27, 1950, but lost to then-champion Ezzard Charles in a 15-round decision. Article Details: June 25, 1948 : Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott Author June 25, 1948 : Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott URL Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Rocky Marciano (1st meeting) - BoxRec Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Rocky Marciano (1st meeting) From BoxRec Jump to: navigation , search The knockout blow in round 13 1952-09-23 : Rocky Marciano 184½ lbs beat Jersey Joe Walcott 196½ lbs by KO at 0:43 in round 13 of 15 Location: Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Notes The fight was shown on closed circuit TV in 50 theaters in 31 cities coast to coast. Marciano was a slight betting favorite. A left hook from Walcott floored Marciano early in the first round.

It was the first time in his 43-fight professional career that Marciano had been knocked down. He got up at the count of four. Going into the 13th round, Walcott was ahead on all three official scorecards. Early in the round, Walcott backed up to the ropes and began to launch a right hand, but Marciano beat him to it and put him down for the count with a right to the jaw. The 13th round was named The Ring Round of the Year . The fight was named the 16th Greatest Title Fight of All-Time by The Ring in 1996. Sources Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott - Jun 25, 1948 - HISTORY.com Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott Share this: Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott Author Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott URL A+E Networks On June 25, 1948, Joe Louis defeats Jersey Joe Walcott to retain the heavyweight championship. Louis’ challenger, Jersey Joe Walcott, was a veteran fighter who was finally getting a shot at the title.

Born Arnold Cream, he started his boxing career at the age of 16 in his native New Jersey, taking the name “Jersey Joe Walcott” after the boxer Joe Walcott from Barbados. As a young fighter, Walcott was invited to train with Joe Louis in Chicago, but a bout of typhoid fever forced him to remain at home and miss his first opportunity to spar with the champ. Because of pervasive prejudice in boxing in the 1930s and 40s, the African-American Walcott struggled to book the fights with established boxers that would advance his career. Despite his impressive talent, he wasn’t able to achieve a top 10 ranking until he was 31. Walcott and Louis first fought in December 1947, when Louis won a 15-round decision in which he struggled to counter Walcott’s unorthodox style. Louis was knocked down in the first and fourth rounds, and many in the 18,000-strong Madison Square Garden crowd believed he had lost the fight. The public demanded a rematch. Louis was two pounds heavier for the rematch, which he said would be his last go-round in the ring.

Again, he struggled with Walcott’s style, unable to punish him as he had the lesser fighters of his so-called “bum of the month” club in the early 1940s. As the match entered its final rounds, Louis was trailing in points, and needed a knockout punch to retain the title he had held since 1937. To the surprise of many in the audience, the champ was able once again to summon his legendary power and hit Walcott with a right to the jaw that knocked him unconscious. It was the 25th and final time that Louis successfully defended his belt. Louis announced his retirement in March 1949, and with it, vacated his heavyweight belts. Jersey Joe Walcott fought Ezzard Charles for the vacant heavyweight title on June 22, 1949, and lost a 15-round decision. Walcott again lost to Charles on March 7, 1951, but finally won the belt in his fifth chance, when he knocked out Charles on July 18, 1951.

Walcott’s first fight and only win as champion was a fourth fight against Charles on June 5, 1952. He lost his belt for good in his second defense to Rocky Marciano on September 23, 1952. The next year, Rocky Marciano knocked out Walcott in the first round of their rematch. Louis returned to fight for the heavyweight title on September 27, 1950, but lost to then-champion Ezzard Charles in a 15-round decision. Related Videos Jersey Joe Walcott : definition of Jersey Joe Walcott and synonyms of Jersey Joe Walcott (English) 7 External links Background Walcott was born in Merchantville, New Jersey , the son of immigrants from St. Thomas. Walcott's father died when he was 13 years old, so he quit school and took a job working in a soup factory to support his mother and 11 siblings. He also began training as a boxer. He took the name of his boxing idol, Joe Walcott , the welterweight champion from Barbados, hence his nickname, "Jersey Joe".

Boxing career He debuted as a professional boxer on September 9, 1930, fighting Cowboy Wallace and winning by a knockout in round one. After five straight knockout wins, in 1933, he lost for the first time, beaten on points by Henry Wilson in Philadelphia . He built a record of 45 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw before challenging for the world title for the first time. Walcott lost early bouts against world-class competition. He lost a pair of fights to Tiger Jack Fox and was knocked out by contender Abe Simon . But that would change in 1945 when Walcott beat top heavyweights such as Joe Baksi , Lee Q. Murray, Curtis Sheppard and Jimmy Bivins . He closed out 1946 with a pair of losses to former light heavyweight champ Joey Maxim and heavyweight contender Elmer Ray, but promptly avenged those defeats in 1947. On December 5, 1947, he fought Joe Louis , at thirty three years of age breaking the record as the oldest man to fight for the world heavyweight title.

Despite dropping Louis in round one, and once again in round four, he lost a 15 round split decision. Most ringside observers and boxing writers felt Walcott deserved the win, and so there was a rematch on June 25, 1948, when Louis prevailed once again, this time by a knockout in round 11. June 22 of 1949, Walcott got another chance to become world heavyweight champion, when he and Ezzard Charles met for the title left vacant by Louis. However, Charles prevailed, winning by decision in 15 rounds. Walcott, disappointed but eager to see his dream of being a champion come true, went on, and in 1950, he won four of his five bouts, including a three round knock-out of future world light heavyweight champion Harold Johnson . On March 7, 1951, he and Charles fought for a second time and once again Charles won a 15 round decision to retain his world title.

But on July 18, he joined a handful of boxers who claimed the world title in their fifth try, when he knocked out Charles in seven rounds in Pittsburgh , to finally become world's heavyweight champion, at the relatively old age of 37. [1] This made him the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight crown (a distinction he would hold until George Foreman won the title at age 45 in 1994). Walcott retained the title with a 15 round decision victory against arch-enemy Charles. On September 23, 1952, he defended his title for the second time. His opponent was the undefeated Rocky Marciano . In the first round Marciano was knocked down with a left hook for the first time in his career. Walcott was in the scoring clearly ahead in the 13th round and Marciano needed a knockout to win, according to two of the three official scorecards. In this round Marciano landed a right hand on Walcott´s jaw, that is considered one of the hardest punches thrown in boxing history and the fight was over.

There was a rematch in Chicago , on May 15, 1953, and the second time around, Walcott was again defeated by Marciano by a knockout in the first round. Post boxing He did not go away from the celebrity scene after boxing. In 1956, he co-starred with Humphrey Bogart and Max Baer in the boxing drama The Harder They Fall . In 1963, he tried professional wrestling , losing to Lou Thesz . Thesz pinned Walcott in the fifth round, but has stated that Walcott knocked him (Thesz) down and most likely out in that fifth round. As he fell to the floor, he relied on instinct, grabbing Walcotts knees, taking him down with him and stretching him out for the pin. In 1965, he refereed the controversial world heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston . Walcott lost the count as Ali circled around a floored Liston and Walcott tried to get him back to a neutral corner.

Then Walcott looked outside the ring (presumably to the ringside count keeper) as Ali and Liston went at each other before Walcott instructed them to keep on fighting, then Walcott approached the fighters and abruptly stopped the fight. Walcott would never be appointed as a referee after this bout. It should be said, however, that most of the controversy surrounding this fight had nothing to do with Walcott, as this was the famous fight with the " phantom punch ". Political career Occupation Boxer After retiring, Walcott worked for Camden County corrections department. [4] In 1968, he ran for Sheriff of Camden County, but lost in the Democratic primary to Spencer H. Smith, Jr. [2] [5] That same year he was named director of community relations for Camden, New Jersey . [4] In 1971 he once again ran for Camden County Sheriff. He defeated Republican William Strang in the general election. [4] He was the first African-American to serve as Sheriff in Camden County. [6] He served as chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission from 1975 until 1984, when he stepped down at the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Walcott was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota . Professional boxing record

Question: In 1952, who was knocked down for the first time in his career by Jersey Joe Walcott?
Answer: ROCKY MARCIANO