JERSEY JOE WALCOTT

Inducted on Sunday, September 24, 1972:

The former Heavyweight Champion of the World was born Arnold Cream, Jan. 31, 1914 in Merchantville, N.J. His parents came ‘from St. John in the Virgin Islands, and settled in New Jersey. The fifth of 12 children, Arnold went to work at the age of 14, when his .father passed away, to help out the family. Interested in boxing he began to visit Battling Mac’s Gym in Camden, where he soon attracted attention with his terrific punching power. Turning pro at the age of 16 as Jersey Joe Walcott, he knocked out Cowboy Wallace in one round in Vineland, N.J. in 1930 earning $7.50.

Because of his ability and dynamite laden fists, Joe found few fighters willing to meet him. Married and a family man with deep love for his children, Joe had to work, driving a truck to make ends meet between fights. His determination and clean living paid off on Dec. 5, 1947, when he was narrowly outpointed by the great Joe louis in a Heavyweight title match. Walcott lost again to Joe in another title bout in 1948. In his third and fourth tries for the crown he was outpointed in 15 rounds in both contests by Ezzard Charles.

On July 18,1951, Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Jersey Joe Walcott became the Heavyweight Champion of the World knocking out Ezzard Charles in the 7th round.

Joe, the second New Jersey born boxer to hold boxing’s most coveted diadem, held the title until

dethroned by Rocky Marciano in a furious battle on Sept. 23, 1952 in Philadelphia. In 1953 in an attempt to win back the title, Joe lost to Marciano in Chicago.

In a boxing career spanning 23 years, Walcott met the world’s greatest in over 100 ring contests, winning 40 by knockouts, 49 by decision, losing 17 and boxing 1 draw.

Since his retirement, Jersey Joe Walcott, as Arnold Cream, is the Sheriff of Camden County, elected by one of the widest margins in southern New Jersey’s political history. The popular Walcott maintains his interest in boxing serving as a referee in many championship bouts thru out the world.

Happily married for over 40 years, a devout family man, the Creams reside in Camden, N.J.

Welcome into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame, Champion Jersey Joe Walcott, Congratulations and Good Luck.

Managers: Sonny Banks, Joe Webster, Vic Marsillo, Felix Bocchicchio
Trainers: Dan Florio, Charley Goldman, Nick Florio Jersey Joe Walcott Gallery

Jersey Joe Walcott became the Heavyweight Champion of the World with a seventh-round knockout of Ezzard Charles on July 18, 1951. It was his fifth attempt at the title. At the age of 37, Walcott became the oldest boxer to win the World Heavyweight Championship, a record that would stand until George Foreman regained the title at age 45 in 1994.

Walcott’s title-winning effort against Ezzard Charles was named The Ring Fight of the Year for 1951.

Also in 1951, Walcott was the winner of the Edward J. Neil Trophy, presented to the Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Walcott lost the title to Rocky Marciano on September 23, 1952. Behind on points, Marciano knocked out Walcott with a devastating right in the thirteenth round. It was named The Ring Fight of the Year for 1952.

Walcott was inducted into The Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1969, the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1983, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

After his boxing career, Walcott worked as a referee. His most famous, and infamous, assignment was the controversial Muhammad Ali–Sonny Liston rematch in Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1965.

In 1971, Walcott was elected sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey. He was the first African American to hold the job.

Walcott served as the head of the New Jersey State Boxing Commission from 1975 to 1984. He stepped down at the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Trivia

  • Walcott, whose real name was Arnold Raymond Cream, took the ring name Jersey Joe Walcott as a tribute to Joe Walcott, the Barbados Demon.
  • Walcott acted in the movie The Harder They Fall.

External Links

Refereeing Record: click