72 years ago

Date: 5th June 1952

Venue: Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Title: NBA World Heavyweight Title

Promoter: Herman Taylor

Tv: Motion Pictures

Ezzard Charles
( 74 - 6 - 1 )
Weight: 191½ lbs

Jersey Joe Walcott
( 48 - 18 - 1 )
Weight: 196½ lbs

The fourth encounter between Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles occurred on June 5, 1952, continuing a storied rivalry that captivated boxing fans and defined the heavyweight division. This match was not just another title fight; it was the culmination of a series of intense battles between two of the era's most formidable fighters, each bout contributing to their legacy.

Referee Zach Clayton made history that night by becoming the first African-American to referee a World Heavyweight Championship fight, a significant milestone in the sport's journey toward racial equality.

On July 18, 1951, their third clash at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh ended dramatically with Walcott securing a seventh-round knockout victory over Charles, capturing the National Boxing Association World Heavyweight title. This victory was lovely for Walcott, marking a significant turnaround in their rivalry.

The second meeting between the two heavyweights occurred on March 7, 1951, at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit, where Charles had emerged victorious by unanimous decision. This win solidified Charles's position in the heavyweight division, showcasing his skill and resilience.

Their rivalry had begun on June 22, 1949, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, where Charles won their first meeting by unanimous decision. This initial victory for Charles set the stage for what would become one of boxing's most compelling sagas, each fighter pushing the other to their limits.

Each fight between Walcott and Charles was a chapter in an epic narrative of the National Boxing Association World Heavyweight Championship, with their fourth and final meeting as a decisive moment in their careers. This ongoing battle between two of boxing's greats thrilled fans and left an indelible mark on the sport's history.

The Associated Press scorecard had Charles in front, a sentiment echoed by an AP poll of ringside reporters, with 21 believing Charles had won, 18 favouring Walcott, and two seeing it as even.