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
How Kylian Mbappe is becoming ‘Mr World Cup’ as France hunt down Argentina
The brace against Iraq came nearly three hours apart, either side of a weather
The Championship Games That Changed a League Forever
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/yellow-and-white-trophy-_XTY6lD8jgM Some title games do more than decide who wins. They alter how
Why Golf Shoes Are One of the Most Important Pieces of Golf Equipment
Golf is a game built on balance, control, and consistency. While many players spend
Brief Overview of Women’s Weightlifting History
The first USA Women’s National Championships were held on May 23, 1981, in Waterloo,
The Changing Role of Sports Mascots
Sports history is usually told through championships, box scores, coaches and athletes. Yet another
Remembering Tampa Bay’s First Two Seasons
In 1976 and 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced what is probably the worst
The Evolution of Betting Activity Around Major Sports Events
Sports betting has existed for centuries and has evolved alongside some of the world’s
How The 1996 New York Yankees Shocked Baseball and Saved The Bronx
After winning four American League Pennants and two World Series in six years (1976–1981),