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JERSEY JOE WALCOTT

BOXERS AND FAKE NAMES

When Camden-born Jersey Joe Walcott knocked out the defending champ Ezzard Charles in 1951, Walcott was 37 years old - making him the oldest boxer ever to win the heavyweight crown. That record stood for more than 43 years until George Foreman won the crown in 1994 at the incredible age of 45.

 

Walcott was a study in determination and persistence. He had been 0 for 4 in title fights, but refused to quit. The fifth time proved to be the charm.

 

But the thing is... his name really wasn't Jersey Joe Walcott. It was Arnold Raymond Cream. He was from New Jersey all right, but named himself after Joe Walcott, an earlier fighter who had been his boyhood hero.

Turns out Jersey Joe was not the only legendary boxer who adopted someone else's name.

Sugar Ray Robinson was born Walker Smith, Jr. but renamed himself after a boxer named Ray Robinson, whose ID card he had borrowed when he was still underage. 

Jack Dempsey's real name was William Harrison Dempsey. He called himself Jack because it sounded more memorable.

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FAKE  NAMES
Joe Walcott, Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey

"Rocky," on the other hand - as in Rocky Marciano and Rocky Graziano - was real. It is just a simple adaptation of those fighters' actual first name, Rocco.

Rocky Marciano and Rocky Graziano

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