Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott II

Expectation: To be frank, I already know what happens.

This content is protected

Description:
1. Marciano pressed and Walcott was passive, undoubtedly because of his untimely end in the previous meeting. Nothing of noteworthiness was happening until a minute to go and Rocky landed a light left hook that sent Walcott toppling on his trunks. Walcott looked fine and was up, right on 10. Therefore it was a KO. But did he receive a fast count? Even so, the referee was already counting quickly, and if Walcott wanted to continue, he should have gotten up sooner.

Assessment: I thought the left hook Rocky floored Walcott with merely threw him off balance, and Walcott, since he was already down, sought to capitalize on being down. Might I remind you, he did the same when Ezzard Charles floored him (except Charles actually hurt him). Walcott in my opinion was subject to a fast count, but was not wise and did not get up in time. Unfortunate for the viewers and for Walcott who lost his chance at regaining the title or at least making a good showing and Marciano who proved nothing in his first title defense. I hated it, but the technicalities were being enforced. Plus, I think Walcott probably would not have looked as great as he did in 1952. As it is, Walcott retired right after and surprisingly lived a pretty fulfilling life.

My dad made me laugh again; he thought this fight was a fix.

Verdict: When you have nothing to work with, you have nothing to render a verdict on. Not notable as a fight and not notable as a KO. Although in this case the fight was so significant just for upset value that it probably deserves watching once, and never again.

 

Good points, although I've checked the records and I don't think Walcott was used to hitting the deck. Down only nine times in 20 years I believe. Only five times was he down from 1945 to 1953. And he was counted out in three of those instances. He wasn't used to having the chance to rise when he hit the deck.