- Walcott, Jersey Joe
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▪ 1995(ARNOLD RAYMOND CREAM), U.S. boxer (b. Jan. 31, 1914, Merchantville, N.J.—d. Feb. 25, 1994, Camden, N.J.), was crowned heavyweight champion of the world after knocking out Ezzard Charles in the seventh round of their July 18, 1951, bout and became, at the age of 37, the oldest fighter ever to win the title. Walcott, a precision technician, started fighting in 1930 but needed to supplement his meagre boxing purses by working as a shipyard labourer. Though Walcott knocked Joe Louis down three times, twice during their Dec. 5, 1947, title fight, in which Louis himself appeared stunned to win a 15-round split decision, he was never able to beat the champ. In their second match Walcott was knocked out by Louis in the 11th round. Walcott twice challenged Charles for the title—in June 1949 and March 1951, being outpointed on both occasions—before finally winning the crown. He lost it 14 months later to Rocky Marciano, who knocked him out in the 13th round. In 1953, after Walcott unsuccessfully challenged Marciano and was knocked out in the first round, he hung up his gloves but stayed in the ring as a fight referee. Walcott, who fought in 69 matches and scored 30 knockouts among his 50 wins, competed in a record six heavyweight title bouts. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1969. He later served as a New Jersey sheriff and athletic commissioner.
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▪ American boxeroriginal name Arnold Raymond Creamborn Jan. 31, 1914, Merchantville, N.J., U.S.died Feb. 25, 1994, Camden, N.J.American world heavyweight boxing champion from July 18, 1951, when he knocked out Ezzard Charles (Charles, Ezzard) in seven rounds in Pittsburgh, Pa., until Sept. 23, 1952, when he was knocked out by Rocky Marciano (Marciano, Rocky) in 13 rounds in Philadelphia.The son of immigrants from Barbados, Walcott became a professional boxer in 1930. He won the heavyweight title in 1951 only after losing two title bouts to the aging Joe Louis (Louis, Joe) (including a controversial decision in New York City on Dec. 5, 1947) and two to Ezzard Charles. He was 37 years old when he knocked out Charles to become heavyweight champion. Between 1930 and 1953, Walcott had 69 professional bouts, winning 50, of which 30 were by knockouts. His bout with Marciano in 1952 was considered one of the most exciting heavyweight championship fights of all time. After retiring from the ring, Walcott organized youth programs and served as a sheriff and athletic commissioner in New Jersey. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.* * *
Universalium. 2010.