Robbery at the Garden - Joe Louis v Jersey Joe Walcott

Jersey Joe Walcott isn't forgotten in the boxing history books. His story is not one of exclusion like that of Sam Langford or Joe Jeannette who came before him. As a 37-year-old he would belatedly win the Heavyweight title at the fifth time of asking, beating the illustrious Ezzard Charles in 1951. His place in the pantheon is assured for that victory alone, but Walcott deserves much deeper respect and had the judges at ringside on this day in 1947 seen the fight everyone else had, the esteem he's held in could've been much greater.

Walcott's story is not only one of perseverance - to remain motivated into his mid thirties after four setbacks in title fights is remarkable - but more vitally, Walcott should be remembered for his brilliance and mastery of the craft. To watch tape of Walcott is to see a fighter who would have been competitive with every champion from Dempsey to Ali and beyond. He was a outstanding puncher but also fleet of foot with a sturdy chin and great timing. Loose and relaxed, he was nevertheless a busy fighter in the ring and his fights both entertaining and action packed.

On this day in 1947, he faced Joe Louis. Aged 33, Walcott was the oldest title challenger on record at the time of the fight, and heard the first bell as a 10/1 underdog.  Having begun as a Middleweight and spent time as a sparring partner for Louis', it must have been difficult to contemplate anything other than a routine defence for the Bronze Bomber. After all, the 32-year-old champion had knocked out 20 of the 23 preceding challengers he had faced and seemed unreachable as the King of the division. His dominance and longevity was unprecedented and facing a man with 11 career defeats, over whom he held advantages of height and reach, it was little surprise he began as a prohibitive favourite.

As Joe Louis hit the canvas in the first round, his wits scrambled by a counter right hook to the temple, the Madison Square Garden crowd drew breath and the certainty they shared with writers at ringside dissolved. Louis would rise, the circle of receding hair on his crown suddenly more visible as if the mark of age had descended on him like a falling Autumn leaf.

The pair continued to exchange, Walcott landing with the counter straight right numerous times. Louis appeared flat, his reactions slightly slower. When the famous jab was extended Walcott would slip inside and land the right hand over the retreating left. It was this punch that floored Louis for a second time in the fourth. Louis more than stunned. He would rally in the championship rounds as Walcott retreated, seeking. to avoid a knockout when assured by his corner he was too far ahead to lose.

Boxing and the gnarly hands of underworld that held the strings of influence in the 40s/50s and particularly at Madison Square Garden, didn't appear willing to countenance a world without Joe Louis as its World Champion however tired and dispirited he was becoming. Referee Ruby Goldstein scored the fight to Walcott but two ringside judges found 9 rounds for the champion and he kept his crown, the towel and robe hanging heavy on Louis'  shoulders and dipped brow as the decision was announced. Walcott's trainers, brothers Nick and Dan Florio put their hands to their heads in utter dismay. His manager, Felix Bocchicchio, a man with a list of arrests that dated back to 1925 for crimes included Larceny may have smiled at the irony. Louis said "I'm sorry Joe," and departed. Cheeks and eyes swollen by Walcott's fists and with his aura of invincibility permanently punctured. In his absence, Walcott, flanked by Bocchicchio in a dark suit, wide patterned tie and applauding with gusto, had his hand raised to the cheering New York crowd. 

Walcott would lose the rematch by late knockout in a more circumspect encounter six months later. Louis embarrassed by his own decline chose to retire without fighting again in 1949, and helped nominate those he felt worthy of contesting the vacated crown. As is the lore of boxing, Louis would return as a 37-year-old, with the weight of tax debt on his once broad back. Although faded he would find a way to Marciano and the definitive end of the road most old champions must reach was duly delivered by the Rock.

Jersey Joe would box on and finally win the title in 1951. But had he been given the decision win he deserved in '47, perhaps he may have reigned for much longer and his own standing in the history of the heavyweight title been more prominent as a result.

As now, boxing then was a complex business and on December 5th 1947 for Jersey Joe, it simply wasn't his night.