When was Jersey Joe Walcott's Prime?

1947 (when he beat Maxim twice and almost beat Louis) - 1952 (when he UD'd Charles and gave Marciano his toughest fight) IMO

 

Probably around the time of the Louis fights, in as much as he ever had one.

The best possible version of Jersey Joe Walcott, is something that never actually happened.

 

Probably better purses and management once he was getting recognition for his fighting prowess. He seemed to put on about 5lbs of solid muscle mass in the time period, I know he was extremely poor in 1944. He had to take care of his 6 kids and wife on a $5 a week check before he began prizefighting again.

He most likely began to focus on boxing more and got better opportunities. Experience is also an excellent teacher

 

I would also say the '47 version of Walcott. He had a late prime due to family commitments of putting food on the table. He had to work, probably never had a good trainer or much time for training. I think it was when he hooked up with Boccachio things started to turn for him, especially with the Baksi fight.

 

Probably the hardest fighter ever to pin a “prime” down on. Never saw a fighter look so damn impressive against some and lost or sparked by b fighters. Either way on his best nights he was a top 25 HW

 

Im not sure but would love to have seen Jersey at his very Best against some ATG s !

 

Not much, other than expanding on his ring IQ/strategy/fight plans, which enabled him to reverse his two '46 losses and go into the Louis fight with a solid fight plan that he stuck to for 15 rounds. So, '47 was really the point where he reached his prime summit physically and mentally. IMO anyway, for what it's worth.

 

Thirty eight to thirty nine.

 

1936 to 1940

 

He didn’t develop into the best fighter he could be until he got old.

He probably didn’t reach his physical potential in his youth because he was really only a part time fighter. A war was on. He had a day job. He was raising his family.

The financial help didn’t come until after the war. This was when he became a full time fighter and was able to become something.

You can’t combine the class he had with the physical prime he might have had and invent a better fighter who did not exist.

Similar to Foreman. You can’t combine the experienced bald version who paced himself well with the destructive killer of his youth and invent a better fighter.

 

Exactly!