Verdict In Louis-Walcott Fight Described As “Great Robbery”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 14, 20 January 1948, Page 5

Verdict In LouisWalcott Fight Described As “Great Robbery”

“Have you ever attended an execution, and seen, the condemned man turn round and shoot the' firing squad? Have you ever gone to a bullfight and seen the bull tantalise the matador and make him look like a dumb beast? Have you ever seen Joe Louis made to look like a novice, made to fight 15 full rounds and then have to stand in the ring and take the worst punishment he’s ever received—the booing of close on 20,000 of his fans? “Well, I saw the last of these-sen-sations at Madison Square Garden when Jersey Joe Walcott —who was a 9-1 underdog in betting before his world’s heavyweight tilt at Louistwice floored the champion, closed 'his left eye, made his nose leak and dribble blood for the last quarter of an hour, and finally won the decision according to everyone’s opinion except that of two judges. In my opinion, this was the greatest robbery since Colonel Blood stole the Crown jewels.” These are the considered opinions of Peter Wilson, boxing writer for the Sunday Pictorial, and the only British sporting journalist at the ringside duping the Louis-Walcott fight for the world’s championship.