Jersey Joe Walcott vs Antonio Tarver

He took what was described as a ‘thorough trouncing’ by UPI in losing to Rex Layne in the fight immediately before getting a second shot at Ezz, so I would take issue with that title shot being earned.

Apart from Harold Johnson, the ‘Walcott Five’ that you mention are pretty much ham-and-eggers (athough I agree on your assessment of the ‘Joe Walcott Opponent Spelling Bee Challenge, haha). I’m not sure Johnny Shkor would be favored over Tupac Shakur, lol.

 

Yeah my history was off (thought it was third fight after Layne) Always thought Layne should have gotten the shot. But many of the men he beat were ranked at some point or maybe even at the time I’m too lazy to check. Above ham and eggers but D to C tier talent along with an A is not bad. That being said his resume earned him the shots even if some weren’t deserved he proved he deserved it by winning the belt.

 

Hey, if Rex Layne lost four title shots in five years and then got a fifth, maybe he’d have won one.

He lost three in a row. A little more than a year later, he lost another — average margin on the scorecards was more than 14.5 points. At this point, he needed to step to the back of the line.

Instead, his very next fight is … another title shot.

How did this happen? He had a mob manager. If Ezz had beaten him yet again, he’d have had to keep fighting Walcott until Walcott won. There was no other outcome that was going to be allowed to happen.