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
Remembering Michael Andretti’s Magical CART Championship Season (1991)
1991 was a great year for the Newman-Haas Racing Team. Our driver, Michael Andretti,
Sports History On This Day: September 28
September 28, 1920 – A dark day in baseball, but also one that started to
Super Bowl XLIII (Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals): An Ultimate Recount of the Game
Today we have Super Bowl XLIII, which was held on February 1, 2009, at
Running Wild: Growing Up in the 1970s w/ Sports
This article is a little different than what I usually write because it’s not
Ray Bray: A Key Member of the “Monsters of the Midway”
Throughout the years, there have been legendary “enforcers” in the NFL. Guys like Dick
Sports History On This Day: September 26
September 26, 1954 – The Athletic’s played their final home game in Philadelphia. The franchise
Sports History On This Day: September 25
September 25, 1988 – USA, USA, USA those were the chants across the country as
Sports History On This Day: September 24
September 24, 1919 – It was a sign of good things to come when then,