The ESB British Forum Encyclopedia

That final left hook was superb.

 

Jersey Joe Walcott 52 wins (32KO) - 18 losses (6) - 2 draws

DOB 31/1/1914 - DOD 25/2/1994

Stance - Orthodox

Height - 6ft

Division - Heavyweight

This content is protected

Born Arnold Raymond Cream in 1914, ‘Jersey Joe’ took his name from his boxing idol and then Welterweight Champion Joe Walcott. During his years as plain old Arnold, he was forced to grow up quicker than most after the death of his father when he was aged just thirteen. The oldest of 12 children, Arnold was forced to leave school to work in a soup factory to provide for his family. The streets of Merchantville, New Jersey, however, was a hard place to grow up, particularly for immigrant families, and Arnold soon found himself involved in regular street fights in order to protect his weekly wage.

Having a knack for hand to hand combat, Arnold took up boxing and became ‘Jersey Joe Walcott’ when he stepped into the ring professionally on the 9th September 1930 knocking out the 18-5 Cowboy Frank Willis in the first round when he was just 16 years of age. Walcott steadily progressed over the next few years at a steady, if unspectacular rate, losing to the likes of Billy Ketchell, Al Ettor, and the aptly named Tiger Jack Fox (twice). Despite these setbacks, Jersey Joe continued to improve, knocking out Tiger Red Lewis, before solidly outpointing Joe Baksi and Jimmy Bivins while Lee Murray was DQ’ed in the 9th of 10. Back to back losses to Joey Maxim and Elmer Ray in 1946 were avenged the year later with Walcott outpointing both.

Then came Jersey Joe’s big chance. On 5th December 1947, at the age of 33 (then the oldest man to challenge for the Heavyweight title) and having amassed a record of 45-11-1, Walcott stepped in the ring with the Heavyweight champion, the formidable Joe Louis. Despite being a 1-10 underdog, Jersey Joe stunned the crowed by dropping Louis with a sneak left hook after a right hand lead. To prove it wasn’t a fluke, Walcott repeated the feat three rounds later, dropping Louis yet again. Baffling the Brown Bomber at will, and miles ahead on the cards, Walcott eased off the pace in the final few rounds so sure he was of victory. At the end of the fight, Walcott raised both hands, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation, while in contrast Louis dejectedly attempted to leave the ring. While the referee scored the fight to Jersey Joe, to the crowd’s astonishment, the two ringside judges scored the fight to the Bomber. While Joe Louis celebrated his victory, all Jersey Joe could do was cry. Highlights and reaction to the fight can be seen here.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gB09VEEZvM[/ame]

An immediate rematch was ordered. The second fight followed the pattern of the first, Walcott dropping Louis again, this time in the third. By the 11th, the swollen eyed Louis was in deep contrast to the unmarked Jersey Joe. This time, the fairytale looked to have come true. Suddenly, however, Walcott was trapped on the ropes, and, with Louis unleashing a barrage of shots, Joe caught Walcott, sending him down for the count of 10.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uCpJ0bm6RI[/ame]

Two attempts at the world title had passed him by.

With the sudden retirement of Louis, Walcott was to embark on a rivalry with for pound legend Ezzard Charles. Walcott’s fairytale ending however, continued to elude him as he came up short twice against the man from Cincinnati, the first in 1949, and the second two years later, both of which were via 15 round unanimous decision. Highlights of the pair's first fight can be seen here

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqr-wMprjEk&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

But on the 18th July 1951, Jersey Joe’s dream became a reality when he became only the second man to stop Charles in 70 fights with a suburb left uppercut to the chin of the Heavyweight Champion in the 7th round in Ring Magazines Fight of the Year. The KO can be seen at 9:45

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFX0F0qUM-Q[/ame]

Walcott was finally a champion at the fifth time of asking. In his first defence, Walcott again beat Charles, this time via a 15 round decision.

Jersey Joe, showing no signs of ageing, took on the young and hungry Rocky Marciano, a man with a perfect 42 fight record, with 37 wins by knockout. The daunting Marciano, however, could not impose his will on Walcott early on, with the champion increasing his comfortable lead well into the championship rounds. Suddenly, in round 13 of 15, while leading on all three cards, Walcott stepped back on the ropes and attempted to throw his right hand. Unfortunately for the champion, Rocky’s murderous right hand landed first in what is regarded as one of the best punches ever seen in a boxing ring.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRbIDR4VP2s&feature=related[/ame]

Jersey Joe lost his title unconscious on the floor. The rematch lasted just one round, with Marciano knocking Walcott out in the first. This was followed by a swift retirement on Walcott’s part. His Heavyweight title reign had lasted 14 months of a 22 year career.

Post boxing, Jersey Joe infamously went on to referee the Ali-Liston fight. Walcott lost the count as Ali circled around a floored Liston and Walcott tried to get him back to a neutral corner. Walcott then 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. Walcott then 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’.

Jersey Joe Walcott was induced to the Boxing Hall of Fame after working as a sherriff in Camden County until the ripe old age of 70. While some argue how Walcott should be rated as an all time great Heavyweight, the one thing that cannot be argued is his resume, as Walcott consistently fought the best in his era, sometimes defeated, sometimes victorious. Regardless, Jersey Joe Walcott was a boxing legend.

 

BTW, this isnt a petulant dig at Flea, it’s just a fitting story IMO

 

nice 1. i'll have a read/watch 2mo :good

 

That is really good Vano!!!

I'd chuck in the recently found footage of the championship rounds of Walcott-Charles 1 as well though :deal That'll make the rematch K.O even more impressive :yep

Solid, really enjoyed that mate :good

 

Good read on Walcott, VI :good

Brown and Davis fights added to the Taylor entry.

 

Yeah I see you posted it but I couldn't find it anywhere on YouTube. You couldn't PM me the link so I could put it in could ya?

Glad you enjoyed it. It took about an hour or so but I really enjoyed doing it as it goes. I might attempt a Kid Lewis 1 if I can find some more info

 

Cheers SportsL :good

 

I think if you quote the post I made you can get it off there...better still double click te vid' and it'll open it on YouTube...on iPhone now so will be hassle for me to PM link ;-) :good

 

I must stress I really like Jersey Joe....he just isn't greater than Tyson

He isn't the greatest Joe Walcott either :deal

 

There's only 1 Joe Walcott

I've updated the post to include Walcott-Charles I as well. Cheers m8

 

If I wasn't so lazy I'd one another of these.

The next current fighter to retire, I'll do an entry on them.

 

Jpab - David Haye's retirement deadline is fast approaching!

 

****.

Hopefully Monte Barrett hangs 'em up first.

 

'Pab, you know enough of older fighters as well so don't give me that, do us a legend of the lower weights that has already retired :good

Or any fighter, but I like to get insight on the smaller guys, and you really know 'em :good