The most prestigious title in boxing is the Heavyweight Champion of the World. This weight class is for boxers greater than 175 lbs. or 80 kg. In September of 1952 the champion is Jersey Joe Walcott.
Walcott won the title on July 18, 1951 when he knocked out defending champion Ezzard Charles at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. He defended it by defeating Charles again, this time by a decision on June 5, 1952 at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia. Three months later, Walcott looked for another opponent to earn another big pay day.
On July 28, 1952, undefeated Rocky Marciano knocked out Harry "Kid" Matthews at Yankee Stadium to cement himself as the next contender to face the champion. Walcott agreed to fight Marciano on Tuesday night, September 23, 1952, again at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia.
For a couple of weeks before the fight, Harvey and Burt discussed nothing else. Early on Harvey talked up the inevitability of Marciano continuing his undefeated winning streak. His record was 42 wins (37 by knockout) and no defeats.
"Nobody can stand in front of Marciano for long. He is unbeatable."
Was it a coincidence that again Harvey took the white guy? So, Burt was for the champion, Jersey Joe, the black guy.
"Nobody is unbeatable. Even greats like Sugar Ray Robinson and Willie Pep tasted defeat."
"It (is) a match that (has) inspired great public interest. Opinions on who (is) more likely to win (are) sharply divided. For some, Marciano's advantages in youth (29 year-old) and power (are) too much for a ring-worn, 38 year-old to overcome. But more than a few (see) Walcott's edge in experience, ring smarts and technique as being the deciding factors."
Marciano is a 8-5 betting favorite. It is the first time since challenger Joe Louis fought Jimmy Braddock (1937) that the champion is the underdog.
Normally such important fights are televised or at least broadcast on the radio. But not this time. There is new technology. The heavyweight championship fight will only be shown to paying customers in about 50 movie theaters around the country. This will generate more revenue to the promoters and fighters than in the past.
When Burt went to bed that Tuesday night, he almost couldn't fall asleep as he anxiously waited for the sun to come up Wednesday morning when the newspaper would tell him what he desperately wanted to know. He was praying this was the day he had been waiting for. Walcott will win and Burt can show his father that he too could pick a winner.
Boxing is an example of toxic masculinity. Recently the American Psychological Association pointed out that it is a diagnosable mental illness to be male.
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