Seventy-seven years ago, on December 5, 1947, Madison Square Garden hosted one of the most memorable heavyweight bouts in boxing history.
Joe Louis, the reigning heavyweight champion and a global icon, faced Jersey Joe Walcott, a tenacious challenger with an incredible underdog story. The fight, filled with drama and controversy, remains a talking point in boxing lore.
Who Was Joe Louis?
Joe Louis, nicknamed the "Brown Bomber," was one of boxing’s most dominant and celebrated champions. Born in Alabama in 1914, Louis rose from poverty to become a symbol of hope and pride for African Americans during a time of racial segregation in America.
He held the heavyweight title for an astounding 12 years (1937–1949) and successfully defended it 25 times — a record that stands to this day across all weight divisions.
Louis was not just a fighter; he was a cultural icon. His 1938 rematch against Max Schmeling, a German boxer associated with Nazi propaganda, turned into a symbol of democracy vs. fascism. Louis’ swift victory became a moment of national pride for the United States.
Who was ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott?
‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott, born Arnold Raymond Cream in 1914, was a journeyman boxer who struggled for years before getting his big break. Known for his craftiness, footwork, and unorthodox style, Walcott was a boxer who defied expectations time and again.
Despite enduring financial hardship and frequent losses early in his career, Walcott persevered and earned his shot at the heavyweight title in 1947 at the age of 33.
Unlike Louis, Walcott did not enjoy the luxury of consistent support or management early in his career, but his resilience and skill eventually made him a fan favourite and one of boxing’s most respected fighters.
About the fight
The bout on in December 1947, was electrifying and controversial. Walcott shocked the crowd early, dropping Louis to the canvas in the first and fourth rounds.
The champion was uncharacteristically slow and unable to find his rhythm and seemed outmatched by Walcott's strategy and movement – he knew his way around Louis having once been his sparring partner.
When the final bell rang, most believed Walcott had done enough to take the title. However, the judges awarded a split decision victory to Joe Louis. The decision was met with widespread criticism, with even Louis reportedly apologising to Walcott post-fight, admitting he thought he had lost.
The two would meet again in 1948, where Louis decisively knocked out Walcott in the rematch, solidifying his claim as champion.
Getty Images
Joe Louis the golfer
After retiring from boxing, Joe Louis found a surprising second act in the world of golf. An avid player, Louis broke racial barriers by participating in PGA-sanctioned events - at the time his profile and celebrity saw it claimed that he was the first Black golfer to play on the PGA tour.
While he was one of the first black players in this traditionally white environment, he was not the first. Though he did not achieve great success on the course, his presence and influence were big wins.
Joe Walcott the referee
After retiring from boxing, Jersey Joe Walcott stayed connected to the sport, as he become a respected referee. His most infamous moment came in 1965 when he officiated the second fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston.
The bout ended in controversy when Liston went down early from a punch that nobody saw – to this day the punch is referred to as the "Phantom Punch" while the image of Ali standing over the fallen Liston remains iconic.
Walcott’s confusion during the chaotic scenes that followed, including failing to begin a proper count, added to the controversy.
Legacy of Louis and Walcott
Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott remain icons in the boxing world, their paths crossing at a pivotal time in the sport’s history.
Louis' status as a trailblazer and Walcott’s inspiring perseverance continue to resonate with fans today. Their December 5, 1947, clash not only delivered one of boxing’s most debated outcomes but also symbolised the grit, skill, and heart that define the heavyweight division.
Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing
DAZN is the home of boxing, broadcasting over 150 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and crossover boxing.
It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly boxing magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
Signing up for a subscription right now, with both annual and monthly options, will get you a ringside seat to the biggest fights still to come this year and into 2025.
Sign up here for a DAZN subscription