Boxing · 1952 · Philadelphia, USA
One Punch, One Champion
Trailing badly on the scorecards and knocked down in the very first round, an undefeated challenger lands a single right hand in the thirteenth that instantly wins him the heavyweight title.
Marciano def. Walcott, KO round 13
Result
Walcott ahead on all 3
Scorecards before KO
49-0
Marciano's eventual record
Jersey Joe Walcott, the reigning heavyweight champion, dropped challenger Rocky Marciano in the first round of their title fight at Philadelphia's Municipal Stadium on 23 September 1952 and went on to outbox him for long stretches, building a clear lead on all three judges' scorecards heading into the later rounds.
Marciano, undefeated but appearing to be losing his first shot at the title, landed a single short right hand in the thirteenth round that caught Walcott clean on the jaw. Walcott dropped instantly and was counted out, unable to beat the count, in what is still regarded as one of the single most perfect knockout punches in heavyweight history.
The win made Marciano heavyweight champion, a title he would defend successfully six times before retiring undefeated at 49-0, the only heavyweight champion in history to finish a career without a single loss or draw. The thirteenth-round punch remained the signature moment of that unbeaten run.
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