The second Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott heavyweight championship fight in Chicago. Marciano, who knocked out then heavyweight champion Walcott in their first 1952 bout in the 13th round, knocked down Walcott in the first round of their second fight and the bout was declared a knockout. The result was disputed by Walcott's corner, arguing a fast count by referee Frank Sikora. But it appeared that Walcott rose a split-second too late, to end the uneventful bout. This proved to be the 39-year old Walcott's final bout and was Marciano's first defense of the heavyweight title he won from Walcott a year earlier.