Jersey Joe Walcott

Jersey Joe Walcott
Walcott (left) with Robert Culp in television series Cain's Hundred, 1962
Statistics
Real name	Arnold Raymond Cream
Nickname(s)	Jersey Joe
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	(1914-01-31)January 31, 1914 Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	February 25, 1994(1994-02-25) (aged 80) Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	71
Wins	51
Wins by KO	32
Losses	18
Draws	2

Arnold Raymond Cream (January 31, 1914 – February 25, 1994), best known as Jersey Joe Walcott, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1930 to 1953. He held the world heavyweight title from 1951 to 1952, and broke the record for the oldest man to win the title, at the age of 37. That record would eventually be broken in 1994 by 45-year-old George Foreman. Despite holding the world heavyweight title for a relatively short period of time, Walcott was regarded among the best heavyweights in the world during the 1940s and 1950s. BoxRec ranked him among top 10 heavyweights from 1944 to 1953, placing him among five best at the conclusion of each year besides the debut one.^[1]

After retiring from boxing, Walcott did some acting, playing small parts in a few movies and television shows. He also refereed several boxing matches, but after the controversial ending to the second fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston, Walcott was not asked to referee again. From 1971 to 1974, Walcott held the elected position of Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey, the first African-American to do so. From 1975 to 1984, he was the chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission.

Early life[]

Walcott was born in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.^[2] His father was an immigrant from St. Thomas, Danish West Indies. His mother was from Jordantown (Pennsauken Township), New Jersey. Walcott was only 15 years old when his father died. He quit school and worked in a soup factory to support his mother and 11 younger brothers and sisters. He also began training as a boxer. He took the name of his boxing idol, Joe Walcott, a welterweight champion from Barbados. He added "Jersey" to distinguish himself and show where he was from.

Boxing career[]

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.

Walcott vs Louis[]

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 again in round four, he lost a 15-round split decision. Most ringside observers and boxing writers felt Walcott deserved the win; a debate ensued, and sportswriters carried the topic throughout America. The lone official to vote for Walcott, referee Ruby Goldstein, was cast as a hero. Letters and telegrams poured in to the Goldstein household, praising his judgment. There was talk of an investigation being assembled for rule revisions in judging. Louis went into seclusion for a couple of days, then quieted dissent with the following: "I know Ruby. He calls them as he sees them and that should be good enough for anybody."^[3] What controversy remained was the kind that builds the gate, and Jersey Joe was rightfully granted a rematch on June 25, 1948. Though dropped again, this time in the third, Louis prevailed by a knockout in round 11. The bout was the first closed-circuit telecast (CCTV) sports broadcast, distributed via theatre television.^[4]

Walcott vs Charles[]

On 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 third-round knockout of future world light heavyweight champion Harold Johnson.

On March 7, 1951, he and Charles fought for a second time and 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 heavyweight champion at the age of 37.^[5] 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.

Losing the Title[]

Walcott retained the title with a 15-round decision victory against arch-enemy Charles. On September 23, 1952, he put his title on the line for the second time. His opponent was the undefeated Rocky Marciano. In the first round, Walcott floored Marciano with a left hook; the first time in his career that Rocky had ever been down. After twelve intense rounds, Walcott stood well ahead on two of the three official scorecards, leaving Marciano needing a knockout to win. In the thirteenth round, with Marciano pressuring Walcott against the ropes, simultaneously each threw a right hand. Marciano landed first and flush on Walcott's jaw with what many consider the hardest punch thrown in boxing history.^{[citation needed]} The title changed hands in an instant. Walcott collapsed with his left arm hanging over the ropes, slowly sinking to the canvas, where he was counted out. An immediate rematch was set for May 15, 1953 in Chicago. The second time around Walcott was again defeated by Marciano by a knockout, this time in the first round. It would be Walcott's last bout.

Life after boxing[]

Walcott 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 Walcott's knees, taking him down with him and stretching him out for the pin.

In 1965, Walcott refereed the controversial world heavyweight championship rematch 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. Walcott then looked outside of the ring (presumably to the ringside count keeper) as Ali and Liston went at each other, before Walcott instructed them to keep on fighting. Walcott then approached the fighters and abruptly stopped the fight. Walcott was never again appointed as a referee after this bout.

Political career[]

After retiring, Walcott worked for the Camden County corrections department.^[8] In 1968, he ran for Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey, but lost in the Democratic primary to Spencer H. Smith Jr.^[6][9] That same year he was named director of community relations for Camden.^[8]

In 1971, he ran again for Camden County Sheriff. He defeated Republican William Strang in the general election.^[8] He was the first African-American to serve as Sheriff in Camden County.^[10]

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, New York.

Partial filmography[]

• The Harder They Fall (1956) - George
• The Super Fight (1970) - Himself (voice)

Professional boxing record[]

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
71	Loss	51–18–2	Rocky Marciano	KO	1 (15), 2:25	May 15, 1953	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight title
70	Loss	51–17–2	Rocky Marciano	KO	13 (15), 0:43	Sep 23, 1952	Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight title
69	Win	51–16–2	Ezzard Charles	UD	15	Jun 5, 1952	Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight title
68	Win	50–16–2	Ezzard Charles	KO	7 (15), 0:55	Jul 18, 1951	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Won NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
67	Loss	49–16–2	Ezzard Charles	UD	15	Mar 7, 1951	Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
66	Loss	49–15–2	Rex Layne	UD	10	Nov 24, 1950	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
65	Win	49–14–2	Hein ten Hoff	UD	10	May 28, 1950	Rhein-Neckar-Stadion, Mannheim, West Germany
64	Win	48–14–2	Johnny Shkor	KO	1 (10), 1:34	Mar 13, 1950	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
63	Win	47–14–2	Omelio Agramonte	TKO	7 (10), 2:11	Mar 3, 1950	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
62	Win	46–14–2	Harold Johnson	KO	3 (10), 1:03	Feb 8, 1950	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
61	Win	45–14–2	Olle Tandberg	TKO	5 (12), 2:30	Aug 14, 1949	Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
60	Loss	44–14–2	Ezzard Charles	UD	15	Jun 22, 1949	Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	For vacant NBA heavyweight title
59	Loss	44–13–2	Joe Louis	KO	11 (15)	Jun 25, 1948	Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, The Ring heavyweight title
58	Loss	44–12–2	Joe Louis	SD	15	Dec 5, 1947	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight title
57	Win	44–11–2	Joey Maxim	SD	10	Jun 23, 1947	Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
56	Win	43–11–2	Elmer Ray	MD	10	Mar 4, 1947	Burdine Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
55	Win	42–11–2	Joey Maxim	MD	10	Jan 6, 1947	Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
54	Loss	41–11–2	Elmer Ray	SD	10	Nov 15, 1946	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
53	Loss	41–10–2	Joey Maxim	PTS	10	Aug 28, 1946	Public Service Ballpark, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
52	Win	41–9–2	Tommy Gómez	TKO	3 (10)	Aug 16, 1946	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51	Win	40–9–2	Lee Oma	UD	10	May 24, 1946	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
50	Win	39–9–2	Al Blake	TKO	4 (10)	Mar 20, 1946	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
49	Win	38–9–2	Jimmy Bivins	SD	10	Feb 25, 1946	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
48	Win	37–9–2	Johnny Allen	KO	3 (10)	Jan 30, 1946	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
47	Win	36–9–2	Curtis Sheppard	KO	10 (10)	Dec 10, 1945	Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
46	Win	35–9–2	Lee Q. Murray	DQ	9 (10)	Nov 12, 1945	Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.	Murray disqualified for inactivity
45	Win	34–9–2	Steve Dudas	TKO	5 (10), 1:50	Oct 23, 1945	Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
44	Win	33–9–2	Johnny Denson	KO	2 (10), 1:06	Sep 20, 1945	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
43	Win	32–9–2	Joe Baksi	PTS	10	Aug 2, 1945	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
42	Win	31–9–2	Johnny Allen	PTS	8	Mar 15, 1945	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
41	Win	30–9–2	Austin Johnson	PTS	6	Feb 22, 1945	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
40	Loss	29–9–2	Johnny Allen	PTS	8	Jan 25, 1945	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
39	Win	29–8–2	Jackie Saunders	TKO	2 (8)	Jan 11, 1945	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
38	Win	28–8–2	Ellis Singleton	KO	3 (8)	Jun 28, 1944	Batesville AC, Haddonfield, New Jersey, U.S.
37	Win	27–8–2	Felix Del Paoli	PTS	8	Jun 7, 1944	Batesville AC, Haddonfield, New Jersey, U.S.
36	Loss	26–8–2	Abe Simon	KO	6 (8), 2:32	Feb 12, 1940	Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
35	Win	26–7–2	Tiger Red Lewis	TKO	6 (8)	Jan 19, 1940	Cambria AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
34	Win	25–7–2	Curtis Sheppard	PTS	8	Nov 18, 1939	Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
33	Win	24–7–2	Al Boros	PTS	8	Aug 14, 1939	Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
32	Win	23–7–2	Bob Tow	PTS	8	Dec 23, 1938	114th Infantry Regiment Armory, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
31	Loss	22–7–2	Roy Lazer	PTS	8	Jun 14, 1938	Fairview Arena, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
30	Loss	22–6–2	Tiger Jack Fox	PTS	10	May 10, 1938	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
29	Win	22–5–2	Lorenzo Pack	KO	4 (8)	Apr 12, 1938	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
28	Win	21–5–2	Art Sykes	KO	4 (8)	Mar 25, 1938	Cambria AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27	Win	20–5–2	Jim Whitest	PTS	8	Jan 20, 1938	Olympia AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26	Win	19–5–2	Freddie Fiducia	PTS	8	Jan 10, 1938	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25	Loss	18–5–2	George Brothers	PTS	8	Oct 9, 1937	Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
24	Win	18–4–2	Elmer Ray	KO	3 (6), 0:43	Sep 25, 1937	Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
23	Win	17–4–2	Joe Lipps	KO	2 (8)	Sep 3, 1937	Garden Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22	Loss	16–4–2	Tiger Jack Fox	KO	8 (10), 2:24	May 22, 1937	Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
21	Loss	16–3–2	Billy Ketchell	PTS	10	Sep 1, 1936	Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey
20	Win	16–2–2	Carmen Passarella	PTS	8	Aug 1, 1936	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
19	Draw	15–2–2	Billy Ketchell	PTS	10	Jul 14, 1936	Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
18	Win	15–2–1	Phil Johnson	TKO	3 (6), 1:12	Jun 22, 1936	Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17	Win	14–2–1	Louis LePage	KO	3 (6), 1:06	Jun 16, 1936	Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, U.S.
16	Draw	13–2–1	Billy Ketchell	PTS	10	Jun 4, 1936	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
15	Win	13–2	Joe Colucci	KO	4 (10)	Apr 28, 1936	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
14	Win	12–2	Willie Reddish	PTS	8	Mar 16, 1936	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13	Loss	11–2	Al Ettore	KO	8 (10), 1:18	Jan 21, 1936	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
12	Win	11–1	Roxie Allen	KO	8 (8), 1:06	Nov 26, 1935	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
11	Win	10–1	Al King	KO	1 (8), 1:29	Oct 29, 1935	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
10	Win	9–1	Pat Roland	KO	4 (8)	Oct 1, 1935	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
9	Win	8–1	Lew Alva	KO	1 (8)	Aug 27, 1935	Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
8	Win	7–1	Al Lang	KO	1 (6)	May 21, 1935	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.	Exact date unknown
7	Loss	6–1	Henry Taylor	PTS	6	Nov 16, 1933	New Broadway AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Henry Taylor	TKO	1 (6), 1:16	Jul 28, 1933	Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Bob Norris	KO	1 (6)	May 5, 1933	Camden, New Jersey, U.S.	Exact date unknown
4	Win	4–0	Carl Mays	KO	2 (6)	Apr 20, 1931	Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Frank Mitchell	TKO	4 (6)	Oct 24, 1930	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Jimmy O'Toole	TKO	4 (6)	Oct 10, 1930	Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Eddie Wallace	KO	1 (6)	Sep 9, 1930	Ice Arena, Vineland, New Jersey, U.S.

Honors[]

In 2013, Walcott was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.^[11]

See also[]

• List of heavyweight boxing champions

References[]

External links[]

• Boxing record for Jersey Joe Walcott from BoxRec
• https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/NBA_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights
• https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/NYSAC_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights
• Jersey Joe Walcott - CBZ Profile
• Boxing Hall of Fame