People, Locations, Episodes

Thu, 03.13.1873

Joe Walcott, Boxer born

*Joe Walcott was born on this date in 1873. He was a Black boxer.

From Barbados, British West Indies, he came to the United States in 1887 and lived in and fought out of Boston, Massachusetts.  At 5-1 1/2 and 133-148 pounds, he was a short, squat fighter with long arms and an extremely powerful punch; he was also quick and durable.  Managed by Tom O’Rourke, Walcott was one of the greatest "pound for pound" fighters in boxing history and fought men weighing from lightweight to heavyweight during his career.

Many sports writers rank Walcott as the #1 all-time Welterweight. He was elected to the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1955 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Called the "Barbados Demon," Joe Walcott died October 4, 1935, in a Massillon, Ohio, automobile accident.

To become a Professional Athlete