Louis thought he had won it,according to his autobiography ,he beleived you have to take the title away from the Champ ,and that Walcott did too much backpedalling.Leaving the ring early was because he was disgusted with his performance not because he thought he had lost.It was close, Ive seen worse decisions.
The knockdowns made the impression that Walcott won but Joe was the agresser and Champion, You had to beat the Champ and Walcott did a lot of backpeddling but it was not like the James Toney/Dave Tiberi Robbery...Still Louis aquitted himself in the rematch getting off the floor to catch Walcott in a slugging web