He probably would not have lost the fight. Scores were 7-5, 7-4-1, and 8-4 So after 15 it would probably have read... 7-8. 7-7-1, and 8-7 which is a draw It doesn't matter obviously because he did get the KO, but just saying.
That score is a draw, which means Walcott retains his championship. And that's under the assumption that he would've swept the last 3 rounds on ALL scorecards. That's quite a feat considering how the swings in momentum. He was taking some serious punishment in round 11 and 12 too.
I have whatched this fight a lot of times. It was close! walcott had his moments but was by no means running away with anything. Marciano was in this fight. walcott was fighting for his life to stay in front but rocky was bossing much of the action. marciano was blinded by something in his eyes in the middle rounds, had he not there is a chance he may have caught up much earlier.
Walcott was amazing - if fights had've been say 12 rounders like today - it could be argued that he'd have definately taken the stinkerooney decision against Louis aswell as the decision over Marciano - does anyone know how the scores sat at the 12 round mark in his first challengers for Ezzard's title? Without any doubt Jersey Joe Walcott was one of the greatest fighters and boxers and movers and slick artists with heavy hands that there's ever been in the heavyweight division - criminally under rated in his day and though respected not given anywhere near his due these days either really - a legendary fighter.
I agree with this. Alot of the moves the young slicksters try to emulate today are taken straight off Joe Walcott footage. He is one of the originators.
Well said. Marciano had to knock Walcott out to win the title, which is exactly what he did. Rounds 11 & 12 weren't going Marciano's way, and had Walcott been able to box Marciano for the last 3 rounds it's unlikely that Marciano could have gotten even a draw. Rocky however actively seeked for the knockout punch and found it with Walcott against the ropes, taking one chance too many by trying to punch back. From what I've read Joe Louis did not actually need to knock Billy Conn out to retain his title. Winning the last three rounds would have given Louis a split decision win I believe, though I could be wrong.
The most avoided issue here is how crucial it was that marciano was blinded by stuff in his eyes. walcott was winning the fight but losing the war. He was being ground down whilst winnning rounds. rocky was begining to take over at the point he was blinded. it added drama and made it a classic fight. I cant complain since the right man won anyway. I think the tank was empty for walcott in round 13. walcott was looking to find space to get a breather when he got clipped. he had barly enough left to coast at that point. walcott was drowning. rocky folowed him into the ropes and beat him to a punch, it wasnt an exchange. walcott already gave all he had. I agree. regardles of the scoring and the bul**** romance around this fight this was another close fight.
I think so because it was just a great fight. Wonderful combat between two excellent fighters. One of the best heavyweight fights ever to that point.
