Just watch the class of Jersey joe Walcott.

As far as heavyweight go- When Walcott hooked up with Felix Bonconchio he was able to concentrate on boxing and Felix had the connections in the boxing world- sometimes you have to play ball in that world but JJ Walcott was a master and one of the better slick heavyweights both hands and feet. I met Joe in the 70's, he was working sales for a friend of mine in NJ along with Rocky Graziano. 2 heavyweights I met that I knew if I had a problem with I would have to get a strong firearm - Joe Frazier and JJ Walcott - think necks round solid heads- wide shoulders and backs. I was a t a party in AC in NJ after a Holmes fight- I met Ali- Holmes was at the party- other heavyweights but Joe Frazier stood out - he had a presence that everyone respected - he demanded respect. Joe Walcott was quiet friendly and polite but his hands, his shoulders and thick neck and dome told you get a gun. JJ WALcott was a crafty old veteran and fit and strong in his 50's and 60's - tough dude

I remember the old timers and some of the younger boxing brains of the time like Freddie Brown and newsletter brain Flash Gordon rating Walcott very high - he was in an era of Joe Louis, Ezz Charles and Rocco Marciano among others - an era after Joe Louis where blacks could be freely competitive but had to emerge from the best to be the cream of the crop- with one title not many could get a title shot- Walcott got a few - He handled himself well in 2 fights with a still dangerous Joe Louis a prime Charles and a rugged challenger Rocky Marciano- He acquitted himself well

 

Throwing away posts on Ant silly George he's not human a mere void for intellectual conversation a hole where wit and creativity go to die.

 

I hear you, but highlight videos can make for misleading comparisons.

 

For an heavyweight? Definitely. I don't see to many before him being anything remotely like Jersey tbh. And Ali himself has brought up Joe's style as something special.

 

You're just saying that because he was a Marciano opponent

 

Walcott had the most beautiful style to watch a mix of class, grace and effectiveness he had a careless flow to him I've only ever seen in the Drunken master.

No stiffness a boneless lethality to him it was if a phantom had laced up gloves his style was not mechanical nor developed under the cold watch of a teacher.
It was nutured instinctive fighting created by the harsh life of a hungry Journeyman nothing more or less just rhythmic discipline incarnated.

 

Who are these masters are you referring to? Also interested in how you became so familiar with Walcott's work that was never filmed.

 

Since when were pep and canzaroni heavyweights?

 

In defense of Walcott, I've read where he was practically starving in some of his earlier fights, which may explain some of his losses.

 

The people who think Walcott was some undiscovered gem or a top twenty all time great are clearly more impressed with style over substance. Yes he was flashy but he could be beaten by even average contenders. Ahead of his time? No.

 

And let me just add that claiming Walcott was more effective than Canzoneri is pretty much the height of ignorance. Canzoneri clowned way better fighters than Walcott ever dreamed of being.

 

In the fifties and sixties Walcott was seen as an average champion.That " cakewalk walk away ,"was not unique to him, and it actually accomplishes nothing.