Arriving for the fight, Joe was unexpectedly stopped at the entrance by a stranger who wanted to introduce Joe to a small dark man. “Here is the original,” said the stranger “Meet Joe Walcott, the Barbados Demon himself.” Joe was absolutely thrilled and inspired by the incident. After all, Joe Walcott was Jersey Joe’s idol. Although Joe didn’t have a dime to his name to buy a ticket, he managed to get his hero a ringside seat.
The fight started off as a bit of a shock for Walcott. Roxie, in a burst of fury, floored Jersey Joe with a big left hook in round one for a count of seven. Once up, Walcott proceeded to batter Allen without mercy, finally knocking Roxie out in round eight with a left hook. The blow sent Roxie to the canvas, his head hitting the floor of the ring hard enough to make it bounce. Roxie’s body stiffened and Jersey Joe again had the awful feeling that he might have killed an opponent. Roxie was taken to Cooper Hospital. That night Joe prayed for God to spare Roxie’s life. The next afternoon Roxie regained consciousness, but remained hospitalized for ten days. After the fight the Barbados Demon paid Joe a visit in his dressing room, giving him a hug and saying, “Lots of fellers take the name Joe Walcott but you’re the only boy I ever saw I was actually proud to have using it.”
For his victory over Allen, Joe walked away with $375. By the next evening, every cent of it was gone to pay the grocery store, landlord, milkman and a dozen other credits. By the next morning the family were living on markers once again.
(by James Curl)
