Arnold Raymond Cream, aka, Jersey Joe Walcott takes on the immensely talented but erratic Dynamite Dokes. Dokes, due to a severe cocaine problem that plagued most of his career, never really realized his full potential. Many will say Dokes is not nearly as accomplished as Walcott was and they would be correct. However, lets consider the Dokes who defeated Mike Weaver and gave Evander Holyfield life and death in the 80's. Walcott had a way greater career but we are saying H2H where anything can happen. Who do you have?
I would also pick Walcott in most cases. Some called Dokes, who passed away from liver cancer in 2012, Michael "Cocamite" Dokes. Who knows how good or even great Dokes could have been without the yoke of drug addition.
I liked Michael Dokes who in truth was a good young talent in the 80's. But his potential only went so far, and he really has no business being matched with proven hall of famers. His 10 round galant losing effort to Evander Holyfield in 1989 was quite possibly the best performance of his career, though I confess I haven't seen ALL of his fights. Assuming Dokes shows up in top form and wasn't using during training, his handspeed and skill may have given Walcott a good fight. But Jersey was battle tested in plenty of wars of wits and attrition. I just don't see Dokes winning. A good effort is the best one can hope for.
Gotta go with Dokes, he was fast as hell, had good power, good stamina, and was as strong as a. bull, i met the man in Vegas 2009, he shook my hand and he nearly broke it, guy was a fighters fighter... He did a good number on Tex Cobb, in 81- stopped Weaver in 83- and gave Holy hell in 89, i don't see Jersey joe beating him no friggin way...
Dokes, uncocained, wins either a late round stoppage, or close unanimous decision.Jersey Joe's skillset was legendary, but Dokes has just enough to edge him.Doped up, Walcott wins by a wide unanimous decision.
Good match up. While we would be inclined to favour the more consistent Walcott, Dokes on his A game certainly has it in him to do it.
Walcott schools him but look at the Walcott left hook uppercut that KO'd Ezz and then look at the Rudduck left hookacut that KO'd Dokes. JJW may have found that opening
Never thought of this matchup...and it's a good one. I lean toward Walcott but a well trained clean Dokes could pull a rabbit out of the hat here. Entertaining fight.
For all of the disappointments that flowed from it, the 1980s was not short on talent. There were a few guys like Dokes who were on the brink of being something special.