Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Elmer Ray (3rd meeting)
Jersey Joe Walcott 192 lbs beat Elmer Ray 195 lbs by MD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1947-03-04
- Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, USA
- Referee: Eddie Coachman 51-49
- Judge: Lou Bandell 50-50
- Judge: Robert Floyd 52-48
"Jersey Joe Walcott, a seasoned heavyweight whose experience carried him to a close decision over Elmer 'Violent' Ray at the Orange Bowl Tuesday night, moved to the front among challengers for Joe Louis' title. Walcott made use of every opening to slip home telling blows, while Ray, a slightly harder puncher, several times had Walcott groggy but could not take advantage of his chances. It was an extremely close fight and was decided on the basis of points, with Walcott getting the edge on a 2-count knockdown of Ray in the 3rd round. Walcott's experience and boxing ability were what paid dividends. Changing his stance often to confuse Ray, he had his opponent coming in and belted him with rights and lefts. Ray never was able to figure out Walcott's changing style." -United Press
- Purses: Walcott - $15,000, Ray - $25,000
- Reports on the attendance of the Orange Bowl were quoted as 10,000 as well as 8,199.
- This was the first all Black bout held in the Orange Bowl as well as the first time white seconds were allowed to work with Blacks in Miami.
- Although Walcott was expected to receive the title shot after this bout in the summer of '47, Joe Louis indicated he would be giving England's Bruce Woodcock first consideration if he got past his upcoming bout with Joe Baksi. However, Baksi stopped Woodcock in 7, so the title shot eventually went to Walcott in December of '47.