Jersey Joe Walcott | |
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Statistics | |
Real name | Arnold Raymond Cream |
Nickname(s) | Jersey Joe |
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
Nationality | American |
Born | January 31, 1914 Merchantville, New Jersey |
Died | February 25, 1994 Camden, New Jersey |
(aged 80)
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 71 |
Wins | 51 |
Wins by KO | 32 |
Losses | 18 |
Draws | 2 |
No contests | 0 |
Arnold Raymond Cream (January 31, 1914 – February 25, 1994), better known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was a world heavyweight boxing 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 37 years, 168 days, a record that would be broken on November 5, 1994, by George Foreman, who defeated the 26 year old Heavyweight champion of the world Michael Moorer at the age of 45, to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.
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Walcott was born in Merchantville, New Jersey, the son of immigrants from Barbados. 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, the welterweight champion from Barbados, hence his nickname, "Jersey Joe".
He debuted as a professional boxer on September 9, 1930, fighting Cowboy Wallace and winning by a knockout in round one. After five straight knockout wins, in 1933, he lost for the first time, beaten on points by Henry Wilson in Philadelphia.
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, Lee Q. Murray, Curtis Sheppard and Jimmy Bivins. 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, 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 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.
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, to finally become world's heavyweight champion, at the relatively old age of 37.[1] This made him the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight crown (a distinction he would hold until George Foreman 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. 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.
He did not go away from the celebrity scene after boxing. In 1956, he co-starred with Humphrey Bogart and Max Baer in the boxing drama The Harder They Fall. In 1963, he tried professional wrestling, losing to Lou Thesz. 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 the controversial world heavyweight championship bout between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston. 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".
Arnold "Jersey Joe Walcott" Cream[2][3] | |
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Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey | |
In office 1971[3] – 1974[3] |
|
Preceded by | Martin Segal[3] |
Succeeded by | Joseph W. Coyle[3] |
Personal details | |
Born | January 31, 1914 Merchantville, New Jersey |
Died | February 25, 1994 Camden, New Jersey |
(aged 80)
Resting place | Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery Pennsauken, New Jersey |
Nationality | American |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Camden, New Jersey |
Occupation | Boxer |
After retiring, Walcott worked for Camden County corrections department.[4] In 1968, he ran for Sheriff of Camden County, but lost in the Democratic primary to Spencer H. Smith, Jr.[5][2] That same year he was named director of community relations for Camden, New Jersey.[4]
In 1971 he once again ran for Camden County Sheriff. He defeated Republican William Strang in the general election.[4] He was the first African-American to serve as Sheriff in Camden County.[6]
He served as chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission from 1975 until 1984, when he stepped down at the mandatory retirement age of 70. Walcott was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota.
51 Wins (32 knockouts, 19 decisions), 18 Losses (6 knockouts, 12 decision), 2 Draws [1] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
Loss | 51-18-2 | Rocky Marciano | KO | 1 (15) | 15/05/1953 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, United States | For World Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 51-17-2 | Rocky Marciano | KO | 13 (15) | 23/09/1952 | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Lost World Heavyweight title. Fight was named Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 1952. |
Win | 51-16-2 | Ezzard Charles | UD | 15 | 05/06/1952 | Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Retained World Heavyweight title. |
Win | 50-16-2 | Ezzard Charles | KO | 7 (15) | 18/07/1951 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | Won World Heavyweight title. Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 1951. |
Loss | 49-16-2 | Ezzard Charles | UD | 15 | 07/03/1951 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, United States | For World Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 49-15-2 | Rex Layne | UD | 10 | 24/11/1950 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 49-14-2 | Hein ten Hoff | UD | 10 | 28/05/1950 | VfR Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany | |
Win | 48-14-2 | Johnny Shkor | KO | 1 (10) | 13/03/1950 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 47-14-2 | Omelio Agramonte | TKO | 7 (10) | 03/03/1950 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 46-14-2 | Harold Johnson | KO | 3 (10) | 08/02/1950 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 45-14-2 | Olle Tandberg | TKO | 5 (12) | 14/08/1949 | Raasunda Fotball Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden | |
Loss | 44-14-2 | Ezzard Charles | UD | 15 | 22/06/1949 | Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, United States | For vacant NBA World Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 44-13-2 | Joe Louis | KO | 11 (15) | 25/06/1948 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, United States | For World Heavyweight title. |
Loss | 44-12-2 | Joe Louis | SD | 15 | 05/12/1947 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | For World Heavyweight title. |
Win | 44-11-2 | Joey Maxim | SD | 10 | 23/06/1947 | Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California, United States | |
Win | 43-11-2 | Elmer Ray | MD | 10 | 04/03/1947 | Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, United States | |
Win | 42-11-2 | Joey Maxim | MD | 10 | 06/01/1947 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Loss | 41-11-2 | Elmer Ray | SD | 10 | 15/11/1946 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | |
Loss | 41-10-2 | Joey Maxim | PTS | 10 | 28/08/1946 | Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 41-9-2 | Tommy Gomez | TKO | 3 (10) | 16/08/1946 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 40-9-2 | Lee Oma | UD | 10 | 24/05/1946 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 39-9-2 | Al Blake | TKO | 4 (10) | 20/03/1946 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 38-9-2 | Jimmy Bivins | SD | 10 | 25/02/1946 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, United States | |
Win | 37-9-2 | Johnny Allen | KO | 3 (10) | 30/01/1946 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 36-9-2 | Curtis Sheppard | KO | 10 (10) | 10/12/1945 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, United States | |
Win | 35-9-2 | Lee Q. Murray | DQ | 9 (10) | 12/11/1945 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, United States | |
Win | 34-9-2 | Steve Dudas | TKO | 5 (10) | 23/10/1945 | Paterson, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 33-9-2 | Johnny Denson | KO | 2 (10) | 20/09/1945 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 32-9-2 | Joe Baksi | PTS | 10 | 02/08/1945 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 31-9-2 | Johnny Allen | PTS | 8 | 15/03/1945 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 30-9-2 | Austin Johnson | PTS | 6 | 22/02/1945 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 29-9-2 | Johnny Allen | PTS | 8 | 25/01/1945 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 29-8-2 | Jackie Saunders | TKO | 2 (8) | 11/01/1945 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 28-8-2 | Ellis Singleton | KO | 3 (8) | 28/06/1944 | Batesville A.C., Haddonfield, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 27-8-2 | Felix Del Paoli | PTS | 8 | 07/06/1944 | Batesville A.C., Haddonfield, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 26-8-2 | Abe Simon | KO | 6 (8) | 12/02/1940 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 26-7-2 | Tiger Red Lewis | TKO | 6 (8) | 19/01/1940 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 25-7-2 | Curtis Sheppard | PTS | 8 | 18/11/1939 | Rockland Palace, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 24-7-2 | Al Boros | PTS | 8 | 14/08/1939 | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 23-7-2 | Bob Tow | PTS | 8 | 23/12/1938 | 114th Infantry Armory, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 22-7-2 | Roy Lazer | PTS | 8 | 14/06/1938 | Fairview Arena, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 22-6-2 | Tiger Jack Fox | PTS | 10 | 10/05/1938 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 22-5-2 | Lorenzo Pack | KO | 4 (8) | 12/04/1938 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 21-5-2 | Art Sykes | KO | 4 (8) | 25/03/1938 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 20-5-2 | Jim Whitest | PTS | 8 | 20/01/1938 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 19-5-2 | Freddie Fiducia | PTS | 8 | 10/01/1938 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Loss | 18-5-2 | George Brothers | PTS | 8 | 09/10/1937 | Rockland Palace, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 18-4-2 | Elmer Ray | KO | 3 (6) | 25/09/1937 | Rockland Palace, New York, New York, United States | |
Win | 17-4-2 | Joe Lipps | KO | 2 (8) | 03/09/1937 | Garden Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 16-4-2 | Tiger Jack Fox | KO | 8 (10) | 22/05/1937 | Rockland Palace, New York, New York, United States | |
Loss | 16-3-2 | Billy Ketchell | PTS | 10 | 01/09/1936 | Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 16-2-2 | Carmen Passarella | PTS | 8 | 01/08/1936 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Draw | 15-2-2 | Billy Ketchell | PTS | 10 | 14/07/1936 | Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 15-2-1 | Phil Johnson | TKO | 3 (6) | 22/06/1936 | Phillies Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 14-2-1 | Louis LePage | KO | 3 (6) | 16/06/1936 | Coney Island Velodrome, Brooklyn, New York, United States | |
Draw | 13-2-1 | Billy Ketchell | PTS | 10 | 04/06/1936 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 13–2 | Joe Colucci | KO | 4 (8) | 28/04/1936 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 12–2 | Willie Reddish | PTS | 10 | 16/03/1936 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Loss | 11–2 | Al Ettore | KO | 8 (10) | 21/01/1936 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 11–1 | Roxie Allen | KO | 7 (8) | 26/11/1935 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 10–1 | Al King | KO | 1 (8) | 29/10/1935 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 9–1 | Pat Roland | KO | 4 (8) | 01/10/1935 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 8–1 | Lew Alva | KO | 1 (8) | 27/08/1935 | Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 7–1 | Al Lang | KO | 1 (6) | 21/05/1935 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 6–1 | Henry Taylor | PTS | 6 | 16/11/1933 | New Broadway A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 6–0 | Henry Taylor | TKO | 1 (6) | 28/07/1933 | Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 5–0 | Bob Norris | KO | 1 (6) | 05/05/1933 | Camden, New Jersey, United States | Exact date unknown. |
Win | 4–0 | Carl Mays | KO | 2 (6) | 20/04/1931 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 3–0 | Frank Matthews | TKO | 4 (6) | 24/10/1930 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 2–0 | Jimmy O'Tooleb | TKO | 4 (6) | 10/10/1930 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Cowboy Frank Willis | KO | 1 (6) | 09/09/1930 | Vineland Arena, Vineland, New Jersey, United States |
Awards and achievements | ||
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Preceded by Ezzard Charles |
World Heavyweight Champion July 18 1951 – 1952 |
Succeeded by Rocky Marciano |
Preceded by Jess Willard |
Oldest Heavyweight Champion July 18 1951 - November 5 1994 |
Succeeded by George Foreman |
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