73 years ago
Ezzard Charles vs Jersey Joe Walcott III
Date: 18th July 1951
Venue: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Title: NBA & NYSAC World Heavyweight Titles
Promoter: International Boxing Club, Jack McGinley, Art Rooney
Tv: Motion Pictures
Ezzard Charles
(
71
-
5
-
1
)
Weight: 182 lbs
Jersey Joe Walcott
(
47
-
18
-
1
)
Weight: 194 lbs
On July 18, 1951, Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, became the backdrop for the third fight between Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott.
Ezzard Charles, weighing 182 pounds, entered the fight as the heavyweight champion, defending his NBA and NYSAC titles for the ninth and fifth times, respectively. His opponent, Jersey Joe Walcott, was 194 pounds and faced long odds as a 9-1 underdog. Despite the scepticism surrounding his chances, Walcott's resilience and determination were about to be showcased on one of the sport's biggest stages.
It marked the first time the World Heavyweight Championship was contested in Pittsburgh, drawing a crowd of 28,272 and generating a gross gate of $245,000.
The anticipation was palpable as Walcott attempted to secure the heavyweight crown for the fifth time.
The fight's progression was a testament to both fighters' skills and strategies. Through the initial rounds, the competition was fierce, with Walcott and Charles exchanging powerful blows.
The Associated Press had Walcott leading 4-2 at the time of the knockout, highlighting the competitive nature of the bout.
The fight's climax occurred 55 seconds into the seventh round when Walcott landed a left hook to Charles's jaw, sending the champion to the ground. Unable to rise before the count, Charles lost by knockout, and Walcott was declared the new World Heavyweight Champion.
At 37, Walcott defied expectations, becoming the oldest boxer to win the heavyweight title. This record stood until George Foreman broke it in 1994 at 45.
Walcott's victory was significant in boxing, illustrating that determination and skill could overcome age and odds. The bout was named the 1951 Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine.