The best punch trackers on the market
31st January 2020
By: Noah Abrahams
On what would have been Joe Walcott’s 106th birthday, today we remember the fascinating life of a former World Heavyweight Champion.
Prior to a 45-year-old George Foreman in 1994, there was Walcott. Famous for his year-long tenure as a 37-year-old world title holder (between 1951 and 1952), ‘Jersey Joe’ will also be remembered as the referee who officiated when Muhammad Ali faced Sunny Listen for the second time in 1965 – Ali controversially winning by knockout just one minute into the first round.
His father – a hero in the eyes of the young American – an immigrant from the West Indies, Walcott took the name of ‘Barbados Joe Walcott’. Just like his boxing idol, the upcoming young athlete was keen to carve his name into the history books from an early age.
Placed ahead of Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston, George Foreman and Mike Tyson on boxing historian Arthur Harris’ compiled list of the top ten heavyweight champions of all time, Walcott built his legacy like no other boxer. A fighting stance that meant his hands were held at chest level, the popular young athlete used a pinpoint jab and a counter-punch in order to terrify and ultimately stop his opponents. With a left hook that became somewhat of a trademark, he had lived what was once a 16-year-old’s distant dream.
A slightly unconventional professional boxing record (having lost 18 fights), Walcott proved that even to the best he could cause problems. Champion following a victory over Ezzard Charles in 1951, the Jersey resident battled toe to toe with the legendary Rocky Marciano on his second title defence in 1952, the future wrestler (Walcott) on the receiving end of potentially history’s most powerful punch. Unable to retain the belt he worked so hard for, Walcott lost by knockout having taken Marciano into the 13th round. The two would meet a year later, the undefeated title holder knocking out Walcott within a round as history repeated itself. The first bout labelled as Ring Fight of The Year 1952, the second, a less exciting spectacle.
Rarely is a sportsman more famous for a loss than a moment of glory. Whilst Marciano’s legacy could be considered as overpowering, one must remember that Walcott twice knocked down Joe Louis in his career. Although several fight fans think that ‘Jersey Joe’ beat Louis in 1947 at Madison Square, it was ‘The Brown Bomber’ who won on a 15-round split decision on that cold December night.
Ending his boxing career with a world title, priceless memories and 50 victories, Walcott devoted his retirement to lower level sport, entertainment and politics. Starring between 1956 and 1970 in both ‘The Harder They Fall’ and ‘The Super Fight’, the International Boxing Hall of Fame member moved on from television and into positions of influence within Camden (New Jersey) County. Becoming the first ever African American to serve as Sherriff within New Jersey’s eighth largest county, Walcott spent nine years as chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.
Passing away aged 80 in 1994, Walcott broke down colour boundaries, competed with the best and remained a true lover of boxing from the start all the way through to the end of his exceptional life.
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