Jersey Joe Walcott


Arnold Raymond Cream, 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.
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. His father was an immigrant from St. Thomas, Danish West Indies. His mother was from Jordantown, 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.
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." 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 sports broadcast, distributed via theatre television.
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. This made him the oldest man ever to win the world heavyweight crown.
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. 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 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 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. In 1968, he ran for Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey, but lost in the Democratic primary to Spencer H. Smith Jr. That same year he was named director of community relations for Camden.
In 1971, he ran again for Camden County Sheriff. He defeated Republican William Strang in the general election. He was the first African-American to serve as Sheriff in Camden County.
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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
71Loss51–18–2 Rocky MarcianoKO1, 2:25May 15, 1953 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.For The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
70Loss51–17–2 Rocky MarcianoKO13, 0:43Sep 23, 1952 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Lost The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
69Win51–16–2 Ezzard CharlesUD15Jun 5, 1952 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Retained The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
68Win50–16–2 Ezzard CharlesKO7, 0:55Jul 18, 1951 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.Won NBA, The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
67Loss49–16–2 Ezzard CharlesUD15Mar 7, 1951 Olympia, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.For NBA, The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
66Loss49–15–2 Rex LayneUD10Nov 24, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
65Win49–14–2 Hein ten HoffUD10May 28, 1950 Rhein-Neckar-Stadion, Mannheim, West Germany
64Win48–14–2 Johnny ShkorKO1, 1:34Mar 13, 1950 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
63Win47–14–2 Omelio AgramonteTKO7, 2:11Mar 3, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
62Win46–14–2 Harold JohnsonKO3, 1:03Feb 8, 1950 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
61Win45–14–2 Olle TandbergTKO5, 2:30Aug 14, 1949 Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
60Loss44–14–2 Ezzard CharlesUD15Jun 22, 1949 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.For vacant NBA heavyweight title
59Loss44–13–2 Joe LouisKO11 Jun 25, 1948 Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.For The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
58Loss44–12–2 Joe LouisSD15Dec 5, 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For The Ring and lineal heavyweight titles
57Win44–11–2 Joey MaximSD10Jun 23, 1947 Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
56Win43–11–2 Elmer RayMD10Mar 4, 1947 Burdine Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
55Win42–11–2 Joey Maxim10Jan 6, 1947 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
54Loss41–11–2 Elmer RaySD10Nov 15, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
53Loss41–10–2 Joey MaximPTS10Aug 28, 1946 Public Service Ballpark, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
52Win41–9–2 Tommy GómezTKO3 Aug 16, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
51Win40–9–2 Lee Oma10May 24, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
50Win39–9–2 Al BlakeTKO4 Mar 20, 1946 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
49Win38–9–2 Jimmy Bivins10Feb 25, 1946 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
48Win37–9–2 Johnny AllenKO3 Jan 30, 1946 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
47Win36–9–2 Curtis SheppardKO10 Dec 10, 1945 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
46Win35–9–2 Lee Q. Murray9 Nov 12, 1945 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.Murray disqualified for inactivity
45Win34–9–2 Steve DudasTKO5, 1:50Oct 23, 1945 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
44Win33–9–2 Johnny DensonKO2, 1:06Sep 20, 1945 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
43Win32–9–2 Joe BaksiPTS10Aug 2, 1945 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
42Win31–9–2 Johnny AllenPTS8Mar 15, 1945 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
41Win30–9–2 Austin JohnsonPTS6Feb 22, 1945 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
40Loss29–9–2 Johnny AllenPTS8Jan 25, 1945 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
39Win29–8–2 Jackie SaundersTKO2 Jan 11, 1945 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
38Win28–8–2 Ellis SingletonKO3 Jun 28, 1944 Batesville AC, Haddonfield, New Jersey, U.S.
37Win27–8–2 Felix Del PaoliPTS8Jun 7, 1944 Batesville AC, Haddonfield, New Jersey, U.S.
36Loss26–8–2 Abe SimonKO6, 2:32Feb 12, 1940 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
35Win26–7–2 Tiger Red LewisTKO6 Jan 19, 1940 Cambria AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
34Win25–7–2 Curtis SheppardPTS8Nov 18, 1939 Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
33Win24–7–2 Al BorosPTS8Aug 14, 1939 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
32Win23–7–2 Bob TowPTS8Dec 23, 1938 114th Infantry Regiment Armory, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
31Loss22–7–2 Roy LazerPTS8Jun 14, 1938 Fairview Arena, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
30Loss22–6–2 Tiger Jack FoxPTS10May 10, 1938 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
29Win22–5–2 Lorenzo PackKO4 Apr 12, 1938 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
28Win21–5–2 Art SykesKO4 Mar 25, 1938 Cambria AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27Win20–5–2 Jim WhitestPTS8Jan 20, 1938 Olympia AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26Win19–5–2 Freddie FiduciaPTS8Jan 10, 1938 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25Loss18–5–2 George BrothersPTS8Oct 9, 1937 Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
24Win18–4–2 Elmer RayKO3, 0:43Sep 25, 1937 Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
23Win17–4–2 Joe LippsKO2 Sep 3, 1937 Garden Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
22Loss16–4–2 Tiger Jack FoxKO8, 2:24May 22, 1937 Rockland Palace, New York City, New York, U.S.
21Loss16–3–2 Billy KetchellPTS10Sep 1, 1936 Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey
20Win16–2–2 Carmen PassarellaPTS8Aug 1, 1936 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
19Draw15–2–2 Billy KetchellPTS10Jul 14, 1936 Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win15–2–1 Phil JohnsonTKO3, 1:12Jun 22, 1936 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17Win14–2–1 Louis LePageKO3, 1:06Jun 16, 1936 Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, U.S.
16Draw13–2–1 Billy Ketchell10Jun 4, 1936 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win13–2 Joe ColucciKO4 Apr 28, 1936 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win12–2 Willie ReddishPTS8Mar 16, 1936 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13Loss11–2 Al EttoreKO8, 1:18Jan 21, 1936 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
12Win11–1 Roxie AllenKO8, 1:06Nov 26, 1935 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win10–1 Al KingKO1, 1:29Oct 29, 1935 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–1 Pat RolandKO4 Oct 1, 1935 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win8–1 Lew AlvaKO1 Aug 27, 1935 Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win7–1 Al LangKO1 May 21, 1935 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.Exact date unknown
7Loss6–1 Henry Taylor6Nov 16, 1933 New Broadway AC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6Win6–0 Henry TaylorTKO1, 1:16Jul 28, 1933 Arena, Pennsauken, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0 Bob NorrisKO1 May 5, 1933 Camden, New Jersey, U.S.Exact date unknown
4Win4–0 Carl MaysKO2 Apr 20, 1931 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0 Frank MitchellTKO4 Oct 24, 1930 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
2Win2–0 Jimmy O'Toole4 Oct 10, 1930 Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
1Win1–0 Eddie Wallace1 Sep 9, 1930 Ice Arena, Vineland, New Jersey, U.S.Professional debut

Honors

In 2013, Walcott was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.