Jersey Joe Walcott - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Arnold Raymond Cream better known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was a world heavyweight boxing

Boxing

Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...

champion. He broke the world's record for the oldest man to win the world's Heavyweight title when he earned it at the age of , a record that would be broken on November 5, 1994, by George Foreman

George Foreman

George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...

, who defeated the 26 year old Heavyweight champion of the world Michael Moorer

Michael Moorer

Michael Lee Moorer is a retired American boxer who is a former light heavyweight and heavyweight World Champion.-Biography:Moorer is a native of Monessen, Pennsylvania, which is in Southwestern Pennsylvania.-Professional career:...

at the age of 45, to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.

Background

Walcott was born in Merchantville, New Jersey

Merchantville, New Jersey

Merchantville is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 3,821....

, the son of immigrants from Barbados

Barbados

Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...

. Walcott's father died when he was 13 years old, so he quit school and took a job working in a soup factory to support his mother and 11 siblings. He also began training as a boxer. He took the name of his boxing idol, Joe Walcott

Joe Walcott

Joe Walcott, also known as Barbados Joe Walcott to distinguish him from the American known by the same name, was born in Demerara, British Guyana on March 13, 1873, and died October 1, 1935. Nicknamed "The Barbados Demon" Walcott, stood 5'1½ tall, was a formidable fighter who fought from 1890 to...

, the welterweight champion from Barbados, hence his nickname, "Jersey Joe"
Jersey Joe is Buried in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.

Boxing career

He debuted as a professional boxer on September 9, 1930, fighting Cowboy Wallace and winning by a knockout

Knockout

A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...

in round one. After five straight knockout wins, in 1933, he lost for the first time, beaten on points by Henry Wilson

Henry Taylor (boxer)

Henry Taylor was a professional boxer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Taylor's career spanned from 1932 to 1946. During this time, he had 18 professional bouts, winning 9 with 7 losses and 2 draws. He has the distinction of having defeated former heavyweight world champion Jersey Joe Walcott...

in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...

.

He built a record of 45 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw before challenging for the world title for the first time. Walcott lost early bouts against world-class competition. He lost a pair of fights to Tiger Jack Fox and was knocked out by contender Abe Simon. But that would change in 1945 when Walcott beat top heavyweights such as Joe Baksi

Joe Baksi

Joe Baksi was a top heavyweight contender who defeated fighters such as Tami Mauriello, Lee Savold, Lou Nova, and Freddie Mills, while losing decisions to Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles.-Background:...

, Lee Q. Murray, Curtis Sheppard and Jimmy Bivins

Jimmy Bivins

James Louis Bivins, is a former American heavyweight boxer whose professional career ran from 1940 to 1955. He was born in Dry Branch, Georgia...

. He closed out 1946 with a pair of losses to former light heavyweight champ Joey Maxim and heavyweight contender Elmer Ray, but promptly avenged those defeats in 1947.

On December 5, 1947, he fought Joe Louis

Joe Louis

Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...

, at thirty three years of age breaking the record as the oldest man to fight for the world heavyweight title. Despite dropping Louis in round one, and once again in round four, he lost a 15 round split decision. Most ringside observers and boxing writers felt Walcott deserved the win, and so there was a rematch on June 25, 1948, when Louis prevailed once again, this time by a knockout in round 11.

June 22 of 1949, Walcott got another chance to become world heavyweight champion, when he and Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former world heavyweight champion. He holds wins over numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles retired with a record of 93 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw.-Career:He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia,...

met for the title left vacant by Louis. However, Charles prevailed, winning by decision in 15 rounds. Walcott, disappointed but eager to see his dream of being a champion come true, went on, and in 1950, he won four of his five bouts, including a three round knock-out of future world light heavyweight champion Harold Johnson

Harold Johnson (boxer)

Harold Johnson , is a former professional boxer.Johnson was born in Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He won his first twenty-four fights before losing a ten round decision to Archie Moore, who would be Johnson's biggest career rival...

.

On March 7 of 1951, he and Charles fought for a second time and once again Charles won a 15 round decision to retain his world title. But on July 18, he joined a handful of boxers who claimed the world title in their fifth try, when he knocked out Charles in seven rounds in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...

, to finally become world's heavyweight champion, at the relatively old age of 37. This made him the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight crown (a distinction he would hold until George Foreman

George Foreman

George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...

won the title at age 45 in 1994).

Walcott retained the title with a 15 round decision victory against arch-enemy Charles. On September 23, 1952, he defended his title for the second time. His opponent was the undefeated Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...

. In the first round Marciano was knocked down with a left hook for the first time in his career. Walcott was in the scoring clearly ahead in the 13th round and Marciano needed a knockout to win, according to two of the three official scorecards. In this round Marciano landed a right hand on Walcott´s jaw, that is considered one of the hardest punches thrown in boxing history and the fight was over. There was a rematch in Chicago, on May 15, 1953, and the second time around, Walcott was again defeated by Marciano by a knockout in the first round.

Post boxing

He did not go away from the celebrity scene after boxing. In 1956, he co-starred with Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey DeForest Bogart was an American actor. He is widely regarded as a cultural icon.The American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male star in the history of American cinema....

and Max Baer in the boxing drama The Harder They Fall
The Harder They Fall
The Harder They Fall is a film noir directed by Mark Robson, featuring Humphrey Bogart in his last film before his death in 1957. The film was written by Philip Yordan and based on the 1947 novel by Budd Schulberg....

. In 1963, he tried professional wrestling

Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...

, losing to Lou Thesz

Lou Thesz

Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz was a United States professional wrestler and 18-time world heavyweight champion, most notably holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Combined, he held the NWA Championship for 10 years, three months and nine days , longer than anyone else in history...

. Thesz pinned Walcott in the fifth round, but has stated that Walcott knocked him (Thesz) down and most likely out in that fifth round. As he fell to the floor, he relied on instinct, grabbing Walcotts knees, taking him down with him and stretching him out for the pin.

In 1965, he refereed

Referee (boxing)

The referee in the boxing is the individual charged with enforcing the rules of that sport during a match.-The role of the referee:Referees have the following roles:*Gives instructions to both boxers before the fight...

the controversial world heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...

and Sonny Liston

Sonny Liston

Charles L. "Sonny" Liston was a professional boxer and ex-convict known for his toughness, punching power, and intimidating appearance who became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round...

. Walcott lost the count as Ali circled around a floored Liston and Walcott tried to get him back to a neutral corner. Then Walcott looked outside the ring (presumably to the ringside count keeper) as Ali and Liston went at each other before Walcott instructed them to keep on fighting, then Walcott approached the fighters and abruptly stopped the fight. Walcott would never be appointed as a referee after this bout. It should be said, however, that most of the controversy surrounding this fight had nothing to do with Walcott, as this was the famous fight with the "phantom punch

Ali versus Liston

The two Ali versus Liston fights for boxing's world heavyweight championship were among the most anticipated, watched and controversial fights in the sport's history.-Background:...

".

Walcott became Sheriff of Camden County in 1972 and then chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission in 1975 until 1984, when he stepped down at the mandatory retirement age of 70. Walcott was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame

International Boxing Hall of Fame

The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...

in Canastota

Canastota, New York

Canastota is a village located inside the Town of Lenox in Madison County, New York, United States. The population was 4,425 at the 2000 census.The Village of Canastota is in the south part of the Town of Lenox.- History :...

Professional boxing record

Rocky Marciano

|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

Rocky Marciano

|KO
|13
|
|align=left|

Ezzard Charles

|UD
|15
|
|align=left|

Ezzard Charles

|KO
|7
|
|align=left|

Ezzard Charles

|UD
|15
|
|align=left|

Rex Layne

Rex Layne was born in Lewiston, Utah on June 7, 1928. He died on June 7, 2000-Background:According to the Oct. 29, 1949 Tacoma News Tribune, Layne was a Mormon who was a staff sergeant with an airborne division in World War II for 19 months, serving some time in Japan. He did not start boxing...

|UD
|10
|
|align=left|

Hein ten Hoff

Hein ten Hoff was a German boxer and Präsident des Bund Deutscher Berufsboxer ....

|UD
|10
|
|align=left|

Johnny Shkor
|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

Omelio Agramonte
|TKO
|7
|
|align=left|

Harold Johnson

Harold Johnson (boxer)

|KO
|3
|
|align=left|

Olle Tandberg

Olle Tandberg was the Swedish heavyweight boxing champion-Biography:He was born in Stockholm, Sweden on October 10, 1918. During his career he totaled 30 fights, winning 23 , losing 6 , and drawing 1. He fought in the 1936, Berlin Olympics where he defeated American boxer Art Oliver...

|TKO
|5
|
|align=left|

Ezzard Charles

|UD
|15
|
|align=left|

Joe Louis

Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...

|KO
|11
|
|align=left|

Joe Louis

Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...

|SD
|15
|
|align=left|

Joey Maxim

Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli was an American boxer. He was a light heavyweight champion of the world. He took the ring-name Joey Maxim from the Maxim gun, the world's first self-acting machine gun, based on his ability to rapidly throw a large number of left jabs.-Early career:Maxim was born in...

|SD
|10
|
|align=left|

Elmer Ray

Elmer "Kid Violent" Ray was an American heavyweight boxer who fought from 1926 to 1949. Ray was known as a hard puncher and had a career record of 86 -13-1....

|MD
|10
|
|align=left|

Joey Maxim

|MD
|10
|
|align=left|

Elmer Ray

Elmer "Kid Violent" Ray was an American heavyweight boxer who fought from 1926 to 1949. Ray was known as a hard puncher and had a career record of 86 -13-1....

|SD
|10
|
|align=left|

Joey Maxim

|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

Tommy Gomez

Tommy Gómez

Thomas Tommy Eugene Gómez, Jr. was a hard-punching American boxer at Heavyweight.- Professional career :Gómez was born December 25, 1919 in Tampa, Florida....

|TKO
|3
|
|align=left|

Lee Oma
|UD
|10
|
|align=left|

Al Blake
|TKO
|4
|
|align=left|

Jimmy Bivins

James Louis Bivins, is a former American heavyweight boxer whose professional career ran from 1940 to 1955. He was born in Dry Branch, Georgia...

|SD
|10
|
|align=left|

Johnny Allen
|KO
|3
|
|align=left|

Curtis Sheppard

Curtis Sheppard is a former American boxer who was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sheppard was a popular fighter during the 1940s, especially when television technology arrived in his homeland during the late years of that decade...

|KO
|10
|
|align=left|

Lee Q. Murray
|DQ
|9
|
|align=left|

Steve Dudas
|TKO
|5
|
|align=left|

Johnny Denson
|KO
|2
|
|align=left|

Joe Baksi

|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

Johnny Allen
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Austin Johnson
|PTS
|6
|
|align=left|

Johnny Allen
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Jackie Saunders
|TKO
|2
|
|align=left|

Ellis Singleton
|KO
|3
|
|align=left|

Felix Del Paoli
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Abe Simon
|KO
|6
|
|align=left|

Tiger Red Lewis
|TKO
|6
|
|align=left|

Curtis Sheppard

|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Al Boros
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Bob Tow
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Roy Lazer
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Tiger Jack Fox
|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

Lorenzo Pack
|KO
|4
|
|align=left|

Art Sykes

Arthur S. Sykes, , known as Artie, was an American boxer from Elmira, New York. Sykes made his professional debut in 1933. In 1934, he was defeated by a young Joe Louis. Later in his career, he lost to Hall of Famer Jersey Joe Walcott. Sykes retired in 1941. He won 14 career fights, lost 23, and...

|KO
|4
|
|align=left|

Jim Whitest
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Freddie Fiducia
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

George Brothers
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Elmer Ray

Elmer "Kid Violent" Ray was an American heavyweight boxer who fought from 1926 to 1949. Ray was known as a hard puncher and had a career record of 86 -13-1....

|KO
|3
|
|align=left|

Joe Lipps
|KO
|2
|
|align=left|

Tiger Jack Fox
|KO
|8
|
|align=left|

Billy Ketchell
|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

|align=left|
|-align=center
|Win
|16-2-2
|align=left|Carmen Passarella
|PTS
|8
|
|align=left|

Billy Ketchell
|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

Phil Johnson
|TKO
|3
|
|align=left|

Louis LePage
|KO
|3
|
|align=left|

Billy Ketchell
|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

Joe Colucci
|KO
|4
|
|align=left|

Willie Reddish
|PTS
|10
|
|align=left|

Al Ettore
|KO
|8
|
|align=left|

Roxie Allen
|KO
|7
|
|align=left|

Al King
|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

Pat Roland
|KO
|4
|
|align=left|

Lew Alva
|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

Al Lang
|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

Henry Taylor

Henry Taylor (boxer)

|PTS
|6
|
|align=left|

Henry Taylor

Henry Taylor (boxer)

|TKO
|1
|
|align=left|

Bob Norris
|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

Carl Mays
|KO
|2
|
|align=left|

Frank Matthews
|TKO
|4
|
|align=left|

Jimmy O'Tooleb
|TKO
|4
|
|align=left|

Cowboy Frank Willis
|KO
|1
|
|align=left|

|align=left|
|-align=center

External links

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