Jersey Joe Walcott

Jersey Joe Walcott ( born January 31, 1914 in Merchantville, New Jersey as Arnold Raymond Cream, † February 25, 1994 in Camden, New Jersey ) was an American boxer and world heavyweight champion from July 1951 to September 1952.

Walcott chose its name after the welterweight Barbados Joe Walcott, because his parents came from Barbados. His first professional fight, he won on September 9, 1930 against Cowboy Wallace by KO in the first round. Following a rather streaky career start, he benefited from the weakness of Jimmy Bivins form after the war and was able to beat that. Walcott boxed twice against Joe Louis for the World Championship and four times against Ezzard Charles. In the fifth test him in Pittsburgh winning the title succeeded in the third fight against Charles on July 18, 1951 by a knockout in the 7th round.

On September 23, 1952, he lost the title to Rocky Marciano in Philadelphia by knockout in the 13th round. This is one of the most knockouts in boxing. Walcott Marciano had already been defeated and led on points. In the rematch, he was controversial KO in round 1. Many observers thought that Marciano did not even hit him properly.

The rematch between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston Walcott acted as referee (see Phantom Punch). In 1990, he was welcomed into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.