Walcott, Jersey Joe (1914–1994)

US boxer who won the world heavyweight championship 1951, at the age of 37. He won the championship at his fifth attempt, successfully defeating Ezzard Charles, and subsequently lost his title in an epic 13-round fight against a young Rocky Marciano, a defeat which effectively ended his boxing career.

Cream was born in Merchantville, New Jersey, and had by 1930 begun his professional career – illegally, since he was too young. His adopted name was in honour of Joe Walcott, a Barbadian who held the world welterweight title at the turn of the century. He met little success and retired 1944. Then, in 1945, he had the opportunity to take part in an exhibition fight against reigning champion Joe Louis, who was on a tour. As both boxers were short of money, as were their trainers and managers, it became a title fight. Walcott knocked Louis down twice and was robbed of the decision.

After his retirement, he kept in touch with boxing as a referee and as New Jersey's state commissioner for boxing until 1988. He refereed several world title fights, including a return fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston which lasted just a few seconds.