As soon as the first ray of sunlight enters his room Wednesday morning, September 24, 1952, Burt jumps out of bed and races downstairs. He opens the front door and finds the newspaper waiting for him. Burt doesn't have to turn to the sports section to find what he's looking for. It's right there on the front page, a picture of a smiling Rocky Marciano.
Burt can't believe his bad luck. He turns to the sports section to read about the fight.
"Trailing badly on the scorecards of all three judges after 12 rounds, Marciano needed a knockout to win the championship. Answering the bell for round 13, Marciano stalked Walcott from a crouch, forcing him to retreat. When the former champion's back touched the ropes, both men unleashed big right hand punches. However, Rocky's was quicker, landing flush on Walcott's chin, turning off his brain with all the suddenness of a power failure. Jersey Joe collapsed into the ropes, his left arm hooked over the middle strand, suspending him temporarily until gravity eventually took over."
Burt is in utter disbelief. How could this have happened?
Harvey walks by and can't resist making a comment.
"I told you he would win. Rocky Marciano proved that eventually he prevails. He has great stamina and a powerful punch. You'd better listen to me more often on these things."
Burt listens, but is burning inside. This proves life is not fair. But, shouldn't it be?
After his father left for work and before he has to leave for school, Burt sits in front of the TV thinking about what his father said, "eventually he prevails." That infers that Marciano had enough time remaining in the fight to assert his will over Walcott.
The fight was scheduled for 15 rounds as was traditional for championship fights in 1952. What if there hadn't been a 13th round?
The TV in front of Burt shows the end of the fight. The ring announcer is reading the scoring of the three judges.
"Judge Zach Clayton scores the fight 8 rounds to 4, favor of Walcott. Judge Pete Tomasco scores the fight 7 rounds to 5, favor of Walcott. Referee Charley Daggert scores the fight 7 rounds to 4 with 1 even, favor of Walcott. The winner by unanimous decision and still heavyweight champion of the world, Jersey Joe Walcott."
Burt turns off the TV and happily goes to school.
Burt doesn't know that 30 years in the future, because of the death of Korean boxer Duk Koo Kim from a punch in the 14th round, championship fights would be reduced to 12 rounds. Or does he?
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