This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2023
The World Heavyweight Championship matchups between Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott were the stuff of boxing legend. The first time they met was in 1949 when the pair dueled over the title abandoned by Joe Louis when he retired. Charles took the belt in a 15-round decision. The two met again in 1951, resulting in another 15-round decision win by Charles. However, just four months later, Walcott took the title with a seventh round knockout of Charles. The two went at it a fourth time on June 5, 1952, the occasion of this Type 1 photograph. The fight went the full 15 rounds, ending in Walcott successfully defending his title in a unanimous decision.
This dramatic shot captures Ezzard Charles in a follow through as Jersey Joe backs into the ropes, having dodged Charles’ swing. Besides the action in the ring, this awesome photo elicits the feeling of boxing’s golden age with press photographers ringside holding their box cameras, the stark contrast lighting, and cigar smoke pluming above the ring. The Type 1 photo has some light toning and the residue of the original cation slug on the lower edge. The back of the photo has “Walcott v Charles” handwritten in pencil along with an Acme Newspictures stamp and the residue of the original caption slug. There is some light staining and toning present. The photo has been encapsulated as Type 1 by PSA/DNA.