American · Merchantville, New Jersey, USA · Born 31 January 1914 · Died 1994-02-25American boxer who became, at 37, the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship at the time, in a title reign that included one of the most famous knockout punches in boxing history.
Born Arnold Raymond Cream on 31 January 1914 in Merchantville, New Jersey, Jersey Joe Walcott adopted his ring name in tribute to an earlier boxer, Joe Walcott. He turned professional in 1930 but struggled for years to secure a title opportunity, losing four separate heavyweight title challenges — twice to Joe Louis and twice to Ezzard Charles — before finally breaking through. Walcott won the undisputed World Heavyweight Championship on 18 July 1951, knocking out Ezzard Charles in the seventh round of their third meeting, at age 37 — making him, at the time, the oldest man ever to win the heavyweight title, a record he held for over 40 years until George Foreman surpassed it in 1994. His hometown of Camden, New Jersey, declared a 'Jersey Joe Walcott Day' in celebration. Walcott's most famous fight came in his first title defense, against the undefeated Rocky Marciano on 23 September 1952 in Philadelphia. Walcott dropped Marciano in the first round — the first knockdown of Marciano's career — and was dominating on points through 12 rounds, only for Marciano to land what is often called the most famous single punch in boxing history, a short right hand that knocked Walcott out cold in the 13th round. Walcott was knocked out again in the first round of an immediate rematch in 1953, and retired from the ring afterward. Walcott finished his 23-year career with a record of 50 wins, 18 losses and 1 draw, including 30 knockouts, and holds the unwanted distinction of losing more heavyweight championship bouts than any fighter in history. After retiring, he served as a sheriff and boxing commissioner in New Jersey and organized youth programmes. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 and died on 25 February 1994 at age 80.
Becoming the oldest heavyweight champion at the time, at age 37, and his famous knockout loss to Rocky Marciano
How They Played
Crafty counter-puncher and superb ring technician
Lasting Impact
A determined and skilled technician whose long-delayed title reign produced one of boxing's most famous fights
American Athletes