From the footage I’ve seen, Layne has the volume, but Walcott is landing the cleaner punches and is jabbing his face off. Anyone know what the general consensus was and what the fight reports from journalists etc were saying?
Ive never read anything that suggested Laynes victory was anything other than clear cut and somewhat wide.
Here was a UP writeup. Doesn't sound like anything was disputed. Walcott was penalized in the 8th round for a foul back-hand blow. "Amidst wild cheering, blood-smeared Rex Layne of Utah established himself as a heavyweight challenger tonight by winning an upset 10 round decision over ex-challenger Jersey Joe Walcott in MSG. Layne, Lewiston, Utah, forced the fighting in every round and gave the 36 year old Walcott a thorough trouncing, despite the fact that Rex was handicapped by blood from cuts near his left eye as early as the first round. Layne surprised the fans with his aggressiveness and the explosiveness of his punches which knocked Joe into the ropes several times. Layne, only 22, was bleeding so badly from his left eye in the closing sessions that Dr. Vincent Nardiello of the NY Boxing Commission's staff examined the wounds after the 8th and 9th rounds, but he permitted the bout to continue. There were no knockdowns." -United Press Unofficial scorecards (all for Layne) James Dawson, New York Times - 6-4 Associated Press - 7-2-1 United Press - 8-2
