From 1947 to 1954, heavyweight historical past acquired a timeless collection of sagas to behold. I’ve seen a lot protection (my very own none-withstanding) of the 5 Kings rivalries (Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Durán, Benítez) however not a lot masking the precise 4 man masterclass of rivalries that headlined and closed the “Black & White Age”.
Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano, and Joe Louis; these are the 4 legends of the game who all fought each other in some unspecified time in the future or one other of their quests for glory and greatness. It’s most likely surprising to any new combat followers that there was a time when the very best fighters *truly fought each other*. Think about if Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, and Tyson Fury all fought each other in a collection of bouts that outlined the period (at the very least earlier than Oleksandr Usyk got here alongside). That is what we’ve received in retailer at the moment.
In 1947, Joe Louis accepted the problem of Jersey Joe Walcott and a would-be upset for the ages unfolded in Madison Sq. Backyard. They might rematch the following 12 months and a magical ending occured that took combat followers again to the glory days. Thankfully, the duology between Louis and Walcott was only the start of the larger image.
In 1949, with Louis having retired, the 2 prime contenders met in a match organized by Louis to find out the brand new champion. Neither Jersey Joe or new heavyweight Ezzard Charles have been extremely regarded, at the very least within the shadow of the hero Joe Louis. They fought and a brand new champ was topped.
In 1950, Joe Louis returned to the ring and had a showdown with the reigning shadow champion. It was very telling towards the place each males stood within the present panorama of the division. The subsequent 12 months, the champion engaged a rival in two bouts and so they break up wins. The second of their bouts is residence to what stands out as the nastiest, coldest walk-in left hook in boxing historical past. In that very same 12 months, Joe Louis engaged one other rival and had his profession resulted in devastating vogue, although it hasn’t carried out a lot to change his legacy.
In 1952, the championship noticed a fourth entry in a sure rivalry that served to even the taking part in discipline between the 2 warriors. Later within the 12 months, arguably the very best combat of your complete 4 Man Saga unfolded and culminated in a standoff akin to an previous western drawing of weapons. The primary to attract and hearth wins and that’s simply what occurred.
Then got here 1953, and all we have been left with was one lone spherical of definitive reality. There was little doubt who the champ was. 1954 arrived, and the Saga of Rivalries resulted in the identical method it started: a duology to behold. The champion needed to take care of a person who wasn’t washed and was trying to lunge into the driverseat with all his remaining relevance. What historical past was left with was one aggressive match that went the space and one other that hinged on one man’s nostril almost being knocked off! You learn that proper.
You’ve observed I’ve not revealed among the names within the listed fights on the off probability you’ve by no means watched any of those fights or are unaware of this rivalry. You’ve received to expertise it for the primary time and soak it in. Or possibly you’re somebody who is aware of this historical past already. In that occasion, you’re nonetheless going to like this condensed journey down reminiscence lane! After all, I’d advocate you watch these fights in full when you haven’t. You’ll be able to even use my video as a watch order information.
Alright, that’s sufficient teasing. It’s time so that you can expertise considered one of heavyweight historical past’s must-see sagas. These 4 males closed out the “Black & White Age” in the very best approach. Followers couldn’t have requested for a greater collection of all time basic matchups. I suppose there’s just one query that may very well be posed: what if ARCHIE MOORE have been within the combine earlier and joined this rivalry? Moore fought Ezzard Charles at mild heavyweight and would give Rocky Marciano his final combat in any case…
That is the story of the “4 Heavyweight Kings Rivalries” by TheCharlesJackson, writer of the Boxing Encyclopedia; from my coronary heart to yours. A preview “A Timeline of the Fifties Heavyweight Boxing Division,” of which you’ll lookout for an additional article from me in one other 3 weeks or so. Take pleasure in and God bless.
