June 5, 1952 – It is sports television history that occurred on this date! The first national telecast of an athletic event took place when the Jersey Joe Walcott versus Ezzard Charles heavyweight boxing title bout hit the airwaves. The fight went 15 rounds with Walcott retaining his belt by taking the decision over Charles.
Charles was somber after the bout, disappointed he had lost, but his trainer Ray Arcel insinuated that the referee was out to get Ezzard all evening in the close match. Accusations that the ref wiped away gunk placed on a cut over the fighter’s eye and telling him to keep his punches up while not doing the same for the Champ were flowing from Arcel in the dressing room post-fight.
Jersey Joe fought professionally from 1930 through 1953 and held the Heavy Weight title from 1951 to 1952. A late bloomer he set the record for the oldest man to win the title, at the age of 37.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
1970s Minnesota Vikings : Would A Better QB Helped Them Win A Super Bowl?
Here’s a question I often hear, especially from Minnesota Vikings fans: Would the 1970
The 7 Most Successful Athletes From Delaware in the Last 20 Years
Delaware may stand as the second smallest state, but it has delivered some of
How Sports Fandom Became a 24/7 Digital Spectacle
Once, being a fan meant showing up on game day and turning off once
History Of Counter-Strike Skins
Weapon cosmetics turned online battles into a showcase of style and status. The changing
Jim Finks: A Builder of Winners
Jim Finks could have spent his life as the answer to this trivia question,
1975 Baltimore Colts: A Year In Review
From 1957 to 1971, the Baltimore Colts never experienced a losing season. They played
The Gambler Who Outsmarted the NFL: Inside the Mind of Haralabos Voulgaris
Every professional gambler has a story about the one big win. Haralabos Voulgaris has
Legends and Leisure: Stadium-Inspired Seating for Themed Restaurants
Sports culture has a powerful way of bringing people together, and themed restaurants are