From 1947 to 1954, heavyweight history featured a timeless series of sagas. I have seen many accounts (despite my own) of the rivalries of the Five Kings (Leonard, Hearns, Hagler, Durán, Benítez), but few describing the specific four-man rivalry masterclass that headlined and closed the “Age of Black and White”.

Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis; are four legends of the sport who at one point fought each other in search of glory and greatness. It will probably come as a shock to any novel fighting fans that there was a time when the best fighters *actually fought each other*. Imagine if Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury fought each other in a series of fights that defined an era (at least before Oleksandr Usyk came along). That’s what we have in store today.

In 1947, Joe Louis accepted a challenge from Jersey Joe Walcott, which caused some would-be sadness over the years at Madison Square Garden. The following year there was a rematch and a magical ending that transported fight fans back to the glory days. Fortunately, the duology between Louis and Walcott was just the beginning of the bigger picture.

In 1949, when Louis retired, the two top contenders met in a match organized by Louis to determine a novel champion. Neither Jersey Joe nor novel heavyweight Ezzard Charles received much recognition, at least in the shadow of hero Joe Louis. They fought and a novel champion was crowned.

In 1950, Joe Louis returned to the ring and fought the reigning Shadow Champion. This was very telling in terms of where both men were in the division’s current landscape. The following year, the champion fought two fights with his rival and both shared victories. The second of their fights featured probably the nastiest and coldest left hook in boxing history. That same year, Joe Louis became involved with another rival, ending his career in devastating fashion, although it did little to change his legacy.

In 1952, the championship saw its fourth entry in a certain rivalry that equalized the chances of both fighters. Later in the year, arguably the best fight in the entire Four Man saga took place, culminating in a fight resembling an ancient Western drawing of a gun. Whoever draws and shoots first wins, and that’s exactly what happened.

Then came 1953 and we only had one round of final truth left. There was no doubt who was the champion. The year 1954 came and the Rivalry Saga ended the same way it began: with a duology worth seeing. The master was dealing with an unwashed man who, with all his remaining urgency, wanted to throw himself into the driver’s seat. The story remains after one duel in which the competition was very fierce, and another in which one of the competitors almost lost his nose! You read that right.

You will notice that I have not revealed some of the names involved in the fights mentioned, in case you have never watched any of these fights or are not aware of this rivalry. You have to experience it for the first time and absorb it. Or maybe you are someone who already knows this story. Then you will still be delighted with this shortened trip back in time! Of course, I recommend watching these fights in their entirety if you haven’t. You can even employ my video as a guide to ordering your watch.

Okay, enough joking. It’s time for you to experience one of the most significant sagas in heavyweight history. These four men closed the “black and white age” in the best way possible. Fans couldn’t have asked for a better series of all-time classic fights. I think there’s only one question that can be asked: what if ARCHIE MOORE had been in the mix earlier and joined this competition? Moore fought Ezzard Charles at featherlight heavyweight and would still give Rocky Marciano his last fight…

This is the story of “The Rivalry of the Four Heavyweight Kings” by TheCharlesJackson, author of the Encyclopedia of Boxing; from my heart to yours. A preview of “A Timeline of the Heavyweight Boxing Division from the 1950s”, in which you can expect my next article in about 3 weeks. Rejoice and God bless you.

Sometimes that’s what happens in boxing when you get out and forget all the great things that happened before you fell. You know what I mean: the great Muhammad Ali, almost untouchable in his prime (or in his prime), but busted after two desperate defeats, including one to a guy he barely broke a sweat against when he was the real Ali.

Sugar Ray Leonard, almost flawless in his perfect (or perfect) form, left after two painful defeats, one of which was a stoppage loss to a guy who was never considered a hitter.

And the original Sugar Ray, the greatest to ever do it, yet fighting for far too long and leaving in defeat after a dozen games.

And then we look at some great fighters who managed to rise to the top without having to test their luck for too long and can forever boast an undefeated record – Rocky Marciano, Joe Calzaghe, Ricardo Lopez, Floyd Mayweather, Andre Ward… and one or two other guys.

Which brings us to Roy Jones Jr., also known as “Superman.”

Jones was able to emerge from this almost flawlessly, almost intact. However, younger fans today don’t fully realize how truly great and special Jones was in his prime (or prime years). Some of us know how Jones did it all – as a middleweight, super middleweight, lightweight heavyweight, and even made his mark in the heavyweight division. But Jones fought on and on until he lost a total of ten times, nine of which occurred at a time when RJ no longer resembled Superman. When fans today look at Jones’ record, they see him being beaten ten times and being knocked out five times, and as a result, they tend to disregard him as a true champion. Never allow yourself to be told that the power of an unbroken record cannot influence the mind.

Jones could have done things differently, however, and in a modern interview with the Mail Online, the living legend says he regrets continuing to fight after his first fight with Antonio Tarver. Jones, meanwhile, moved up to heavyweight to confuse and dethrone WBA heavyweight belt holder John Ruiz; for some experts, it was Jones’ best and most unique performance. But then Jones put so much through his body that he went back down to 175 pounds and took the Tarver fight. Jones, already a shell of his former glory, was defeated in a 12-round majority decision and his lightweight heavyweight titles and supremacy were retained. Almost.

Looking back, it was the perfect time for Jones to step away and retire. To accept his flowers. Instead, Jones boxed for almost a decade. He was defeated by the likes of Tarver (in a rematch), Glen Johnson and Joe Calzaghe. Jones could perhaps live with it, but the losses, the KO defeats of Danny Green, Denis Lebedev and Enzo Maccarinelli certainly haunt Jones today, just as they haunt Jones’ fans.

Jones told the Mail it could have been a different end to his career.

“I probably should have won the first fight with Tarver and stopped,” Jones said. “I would still be without a doubt the greatest fighter of all time, which I still am, but people wouldn’t even think about it because they already know it. No one has ever done what I did – until today.”

Again, these adolescent fans do think and question Jones’ true greatness, and it’s because of his best losses in the past. If Jones had left after that close call with Tarver at a time when the Pensacola resident had absolutely nothing left to prove to anyone (except perhaps himself) – where would he rank among “experts” and senior fans and youth today?

As the greatest warrior of all time? Very possible. Jones from 1993 to 2003 was truly great. Jones could fly and it looked like no one would be able to bring him down.

Imagine today, Jones at 49-1, beautifully and brutally repairing his DQ loss to Montell Griffin. Where would you place it in the pantheon of immortal rings?

The British weather did its best to disrupt a charity cricket match between Essex EBA and James Cook’s All-Stars – and to some extent it succeeded, as attendance was much lower than expected and the match was confined to 10 overs per side.

But John Conteh did his usual brilliant job as auctioneer, and the auction, raffle and “other stuff” (to quote EEBA secretary Raymond Lee) raised just over £4,000 for the Ringside Charitable Trust. This is a great result.

One of the ‘other items’ was a donation of £1,000 from Barry Hearn. Those running the Trust have long been trying to persuade major promoters to support it – let’s hope Barry’s generosity will inspire others.

The match itself was certainly exhilarating. Essex started well, taking two wickets in the first over in just one run. The All-Stars rallied to score 69 and Essex responded with 70, scoring four with just three balls remaining. But the real winner was RCT.

Other boxers present included Terry Marsh, Mark Delaney, Tony Humm, Colin McMillan, Jason Beard, Bobby Guynan, Bobby Arthey, EEBA chairman Tom Burling and Brian Hudspeth.

There were also several EBA members in London and Essex, including LEBA chairman Bob Cheeseman, George Sawyer, Gary Hudspeth, Paul Fairweather, Terry Bay and Mickey Cannon.

Applause to everyone who contributed to organizing the event – they do not organize it themselves – and to those who braved the weather and supported it. That’s a really great reason.

Update to last week’s story Reaching for golda game about the life of former Croydon amateur and professional, the slow Frankie Lucas. It takes place at The Park Theater in Finsbury Park from November 6 to November 30 inclusive (NO only one evening, as suggested last week) – evenings from Monday to Saturday, with matinees on Monday and Thursday.

Co-producer Frank Skully contacted me and said, “We would love to have your cooperation [Croydon EBA] we got involved in our project by organizing one performance dedicated to boxers from Croydon, during which we could gather all of you together, watching the show – amateurs and professionals, family and friends. The theater has a capacity of 90 people, so of course numbers are confined – but we would love to fill the theater in tribute to Frankie Lucas and the Croydon boxers.”

Tickets usually cost £30 per person, but if Croydon residents arrive in a group it will only cost £10. If you are interested, please contact me (please let me know what dates you can and cannot set) and I will contact Frank. Anyone wanting more information can contact Frank on 07725-859-856 or by email (gfgoldfilm@gmail.com).

Merseyside Former Boxer Association president Mick Molyneux has stepped down after many years of service and his position has been taken over by George Metcalf – one of my regular correspondents. Good job, George.

The current issue of Mug’s Alley – the MFBA’s monthly newsletter – features another fascinating photo op by Robbie Robinson, this time featuring Kenny Salisbury, who was born in Liverpool, boxed with some success for the Halewood Club, and then emigrated to Australia.

Kenny turned professional in 1979 and was undefeated in his first 27 appearances (one draw). Then, as the Australian super welterweight champion, he met Zimbabwe’s Nelson Bosso in a fight for the vacant Commonwealth belt and duly defended his title without losing a single round on any of the official scorecards.

After three further victories, Kenny came to London for his first fight outside Australia and his first defense – against Bristol striker Nick Wilshire at the Albert Hall in June 1985. It ended unsatisfactorily after two rounds as Kenny suffered a badly cut eyelid – no he was cheerful with the break and was told he would get an early rematch. But he never boxed again.

The Home Counties EBA meeting is this Sunday (September 22) at 1pm at the Bricketwood Social Club in St Albans, with leading amateur referee Sandy Matthewson as the guest. “We have a great place, great food and great people,” says president Bob Williams. A sure recipe for success.