Firstly anyone got a link to these fights in full. Secondly whats the story- these fights sounded incredible but never get talked about? Were they good or were the multiple knockdowns interspersed with poor action... seen highlights and it doesnt look that way.
I'm probably in the minority but I think Walcott conducted one of the great masterclasses of boxing history in their first bout - nobody ever did that to Louis - no one - Billy Conn didn't do that to Louis - he was fighting his heart out and if he'd have stopped for a second Louis would've crushed him - the way Walcott tyed Louis up in knots - nobody ever dominated the seasoned Louis remotely like Walcott did - Billy Conn may have been competitive but he didn't control Louis or make him look so stupid - he tried to out gut Louis and failed. Walcott toyed with the Brown Bomber!! Not even Max Schmeling did that in '36 - he did it by breaking a niave Louis down with counter right handshe was throwing with everything he had. Walcott looked to be operating with an awful lot in reserve. Walcott in the first fight was IMO one of the greatest boxers ever in the heavyweight division. It was a master class of slick jabbing, switch hitting and counter punching, his crafty footwork was amazing and his beautiful jab one of the best ever IMO - and this against the most dominant reigning heavyweight champion ever!!?? Walcott was a terrific blend of power hitting and ringwise boxing smarts
I have never seen the first fight in full. I do not think they were great action fights, but they make for interesting viewing. Walcott was not looking to spoil, which is something he did as he got older, but boxed beautifully as stated above, although he was too negative at parts which cost him the decision in the first fight (which he seemingly deserved according to highlights and news reports). Louis pressed the action, and countered well whenever he had the opportunity, but he was befuddled by Walcott's movement and got hit with hard counters from Jersey Joe whenever trying to press aggressively. In the second fight, Louis was less aggressive, forcing Walcott to do more fighting, which he did do as he was ahead on the judges' scorecards, but made the mistake of trying to taunt Louis and force a knockout, and being caught and finished off by Louis's combinations in turn. Walcott later claimed the referee pressured him into being more aggressive by claiming he would throw him out otherwise, but personally I think he simply wanted to win in more decisive fashion which a great fighter does. Unfortunately it back-fired on him. You can't take any chances with Joe Louis, even an older Joe Louis. Not too many heavyweights in their mid 30's would be able to beat the Walcott who fought Louis, even if Walcott was just as old himself. He had the ideal style to make an aging fighter look bad.
Here's some small snippets from different rounds of the first fight [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCQYrAwn-Fs[/ame] theres this aswell which is a bit less 'bitty' [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gB09VEEZvM&feature=related[/ame] WALCOTT WAS A BEAUT!!
Very underrated fighter, he would be hell for fighters of the last few decades if we could transport him in time
