Boxing: Walcott dies aged 80

JERSEY Joe Walcott, whose death at age 80 was announced on Saturday, was the oldest man to win the world heavyweight championship. Walcott, whose real name was Arnold Cream, had two memorable bouts with Joe Louis and suffered a record six heavyweight title defeats.

'He was one of the finest technicians in heavyweight boxing history,' Eddie Futch, who trained Louis, said. 'He was a credit to the game and a good man after he retired.'

Walcott was 37 when his time finally came on 7 July 1951 when he knocked out Ezzard Charles with a left hook in the seventh round to become champion. He beat Charles again before losing the crown the next year to Rocky Marciano. He lost a rematch and retired with a 50-18-1 record with 30 knock-outs in a career that began in 1930.