Boxers missing weight before a fight is a persistent issue, and it justifiably frustrates many fans. Meeting weight requirements is a basic expectation, and a true professional makes sure to honor their contract. Whether it’s Floyd Mayweather coming in over the limit against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2009, Canelo Alvarez demanding catch-weights for certain fights, or Adrien Broner and Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. disregarding weight restrictions altogether, it’s clear that some fighters aim to gain an advantage by forcing their opponents to dehydrate or by stepping into the ring with a few extra pounds.
There’s an obvious imbalance when one fighter makes the required sacrifices to meet the weight limit, and the other doesn’t, or when there’s a notable weight difference. Yet, fans might be intrigued to know that many boxing legends of yesteryear viewed weigh-ins and weight advantages as factors with about as much significance as the weather or their opponent’s shoe size. Fearless warriors like Sam Langford, Mickey Walker, and Jimmy Wilde never shied away from a challenge over these concerns, particularly since they knew how to turn the added weight of an opponent into an opportunity.
This same principle applied to the original Joe Walcott—not to be confused with heavyweight champion Arnold Cream, who adopted the name Jersey Joe Walcott as a nod to the legendary fighter he admired as the greatest ever. Born in British Guiana and raised in Barbados, Joe Walcott moved to Massachusetts and worked various jobs, including helping tidy up at Boston’s numerous fight clubs. It wasn’t long before he started training and sparring, quickly showcasing his natural talent. By the time he turned pro at just seventeen in 1890, Walcott had, within five years, built a fearsome reputation as one of the most powerful welterweights in America—famed for his unmatched hard-hitting ability.
Walcott’s prowess came largely from his natural gifts, which were unrelated to his size and weight—strength, power, endurance, and resilience were his signatures. At just under 5’2", he boasted a formidable upper body with an 18-inch neck, a 41-inch chest, and strong, long arms. Nat Fleischer once described him as a “sawed-off Hercules” and an exceptional puncher, while the National Police Gazette marveled at his strength, claiming a single hit from Walcott was equivalent to five from his adversaries.
Much like his fellow black fighters of the era, such as George Dixon, Joe Gans, and Sam Langford, Walcott faced significant hurdles in securing a world title shot or receiving a fair opportunity. Despite establishing himself as one of the world’s top welterweights, the reigning champion, Tommy Ryan, evaded him, leading Walcott to challenge Kid Lavigne for the lightweight title in 1897. After striving to make weight, Walcott narrowly lost the bout. In 1898, he faced a similar result attempting to capture the welterweight title from “Mysterious” Billy Smith. However, Walcott’s perseverance paid off in 1901 when he knocked out Jim (“Rube”) Ferns to secure the welterweight championship, holding it until 1904.
Despite the outcome being controversial, when he lost to Dixie Kid via disqualification—an event marred by allegations of the referee betting on the victor—Walcott continued to solidify his legacy. Back then, a championship belt wasn’t the true measure of greatness. Sam Langford, for example, only had one title shot in his extensive career but was still hailed as one of the greatest ever. What truly set Walcott apart were his fights against significantly larger opponents, reinforcing his reputation as a remarkable "giant killer."
Frustrated by the lack of welterweight opponents, Walcott openly challenged bigger men and often emerged victorious. His famed adage, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall," aptly reflected his career. His manager, Tom O’Rourke, also managed the heavyweight contender Sailor Tom Sharkey, and would prevent Walcott from sparring with Sharkey due to Joe’s frequent success in knocking him down. An example of his prowess, recorded by the Boston Herald in 1895, noted Walcott weighed 138 pounds to Dick O’Brien’s 155, and yet, Walcott achieved a knockout in the first round.
Walcott also bested numerous middleweights and even challenged light heavyweight champ George Gardner twice, securing a decision victory in one of those matches. Perhaps the most striking example of Walcott’s dominance was his win over Joe Choynski in a bout where Walcott was far lighter yet triumphed via knockout in the seventh round.
While championship belts were scarce among black fighters then, Walcott’s skills against larger fighters and the high regard in which he was held by his peers, such as heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, ensured his lasting legacy. Sam Langford once stated that Walcott was the most formidable puncher he faced, especially recalling their intense 1904 clash.
Though Walcott’s career was impacted by a self-inflicted injury in 1904 and his lifestyle choices led to financial hardship, he left an indelible mark on boxing. Nat Fleischer and Charley Rose ranked him as the top welterweight of all time, joined by historian Monte Cox, who asserted that no modern welterweight could survive a bout with Walcott. Indeed, "The Barbados Demon" remains a legendary figure in the ring, boasting awe-inspiring victories and a reputation unmatched in boxing history. — Neil Crane
