After his tougher than expected fight with Billy Conn, Joe had an easy one round knockout win over Tami Mauriello three months later. It was the easy fight he needed before taking what would be the toughest of his professional career his next time in the ring.
On December 5th, 1947, Joe took on Jersey Joe Walcott at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fifteen round fight wound up in a split decision win for Louis, but most people had Walcott winning easily. Joe in fact, started to leave the ring as the decision was being announced, figuring he had lost. He retained his title, but most of the public saw him as a defeated ex champion.
The rematch took place on June 25, 1948 at Yankee Stadium, and it looked like Walcott would win the title for sure this time. Joe was dropped quickly in the third round, and was losing most of the bout. Out of nowhere in the eleventh round, the ‘Brown Bomber’ returned, and knocked out Jersey Joe. He was still the champ, with no doubts, and it remains one of his finest moments in the ring.
On March 1st, 1949, Joe announced his retirement from boxing. The sport was losing one it’s all time great champions, and one of the best to ever live. However, in boxing, retirements don’t usually last forever.
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