Ezzard Charles


Ezzard Mack Charles, known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. Known for his slick defense and precision, he is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time by boxing critics. As of July 2020, BoxRec ranks Charles as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time. Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles won more fights than any other heavyweight champion in boxing history, having retired with a record of 95 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw.

Career

, but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnatian, where he grew up. Charles graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was already becoming a well-known fighter. Known as "The Cincinnati Cobra", Charles fought many notable opponents in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, eventually winning the World Championship in the latter. Although he never won the Light Heavyweight title, The Ring has rated him as the greatest light heavyweight of all time.

Career beginnings and military service

Charles started his career as a featherweight in the amateurs, where he had a record of 42–0. In 1938, he won the Diamond Belt Middleweight Championship. He followed this up in 1939 by winning the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament of champions. He won the national AAU Middleweight Championship in 1939. He turned professional in 1940, knocking out Melody Johnson in the fourth round. Charles won all of his first 17 fights before being defeated by veteran Ken Overlin. Victories over future Hall of Famers Teddy Yarosz and the much avoided Charley Burley had started to solidify Charles as a top contender in the middleweight division. However, he served in the U.S. military during World War II and was unable to fight professionally in 1945.

World heavyweight champion

He returned to boxing after the war as a light heavyweight, picking up many notable wins over leading light heavyweights, as well as heavyweight contenders Archie Moore, Jimmy Bivins, Lloyd Marshall and Elmer Ray. Shortly after his knock-out of Moore in their third and final meeting, tragedy struck. Charles fought a young contender named Sam Baroudi, knocking him out in Round 10. Baroudi died of the injuries he sustained in this bout. Charles was so devastated he almost gave up fighting. Charles was unable to secure a title shot at light heavyweight and moved up to heavyweight. After knocking out Joe Baksi and Johnny Haynes, Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association Heavyweight title when he outpointed Jersey Joe Walcott over 15 rounds on June 22, 1949. The following year, he outpointed his idol and former World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis to become the recognized Lineal Champion. Successful defenses against Walcott, Lee Oma and Joey Maxim followed.

Charles vs. Marciano

In 1951, Charles fought Walcott a third time and lost the title by knockout in the seventh round. Charles lost a controversial decision in their fourth and final bout. If Charles had won this fight, he would have become the first man in history to regain the heavyweight championship. Remaining a top contender with wins over Rex Layne, Tommy Harrison and Coley Wallace, Charles knocked out Bob Satterfield in an eliminator bout for the right to challenge Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano. His two stirring battles with Marciano are regarded as ring classics. In the first bout, held in June 1954, he valiantly took Marciano the distance, going down on points in a vintage heavyweight bout. Charles is the only man ever to last the full 15-round distance against Marciano. A number of fans and boxing writers felt that Charles deserved the decision. In their September rematch, Charles landed a severe blow that actually split Marciano's nose in half. Marciano's cornermen were unable to stop the bleeding and the referee almost halted the contest until Marciano rallied with an eighth-round knockout.

Later career

Financial problems forced Charles to continue fighting, losing 13 of his final 23 fights. He retired with a record of 93-25-1. He avenged 7 losses in his career.

Personal

Charles was very close with Rocky Marciano and a neighbor and friend of Muhammad Ali when they both lived on 85th Street in Chicago. Charles also starred in one motion picture: Mau Mau Drums, an independent jungle-adventure film shot in and around Cincinnati in 1960 by filmmaker Earl Schwieterman.

Death

In 1968, Charles was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease affected Charles' legs and eventually left him completely disabled. A fund raiser was held to assist Charles and many of his former opponents spoke on his behalf. Rocky Marciano in particular called Charles the bravest man he ever fought. The former boxer spent his last days in a nursing home. A chilling 1973 commercial showed Charles in his wheelchair horribly disabled by ALS. Charles died on May 28, 1975, in Chicago.

Legacy

In 1976, Cincinnati honored Charles by changing the name of Lincoln Park Drive to Ezzard Charles Drive. This was the street of his residence during the height of his career.
He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
In 2002, Charles was ranked #13 on The Ring magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years.
In 2006, Ezzard Charles was named the 11th greatest fighter of all time by the IBRO.
The "Cincinnati Cobra" was a master boxer of extraordinary skill and ability. He had speed, agility, fast hands and excellent footwork. Charles possessed a masterful jab and was a superb combination puncher. He was at his peak as a light-heavyweight. His record is quite impressive. Against top rate opposition like Archie Moore, Charley Burley, Lloyd Marshall, Jimmy Bivins, and Joey Maxim he was an impressive 16-2 combined. Despite being a natural light-heavy he won the heavyweight title and made 9 successful title defenses. Nearly 25% of voters had Charles in the top 10. Half of the voters had him in the top 15. Two thirds of voters had him inside the top 20.

In 2007, ESPN online ranks Ezzard Charles as the 27th greatest boxer of all time, ahead of such notable fighters as Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes and Jake LaMotta.
In 2009, Boxing magazine listed Ezzard Charles as the greatest Light Heavyweight fighter ever, ahead of the likes of Archie Moore, Bob Foster, Michael Spinks and Gene Tunney.
Prominent boxing historian Bert Sugar listed Charles as the seventh greatest Heavyweight of all time.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
121Loss95–25–1 Alvin GreenUD101 Sep 1959 Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
120Loss95–24–1 George LoganKO8, 1:5030 Jul 1959 Fairgrounds Arena, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
119Win95–23–1 Dave AshleyTKO9 3 Jul 1959 Lincoln Heights High School, Lincoln Heights, California, U.S.
118Loss94–23–1 Donnie FleemanKO6, 2:1327 Oct 1958 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
117Loss94–22–1 Alfredo ZuanyUD1028 Aug 1958 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
116Win94–21–1 Johnny HarperUD1028 Aug 1958 East-West Stadium, Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S.
115Loss93–21–1 Dick Richardson2 2 Oct 1956 Harringay Arena, London, England
114Loss93–20–1 Harry MatthewsUD1031 Aug 1956 Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
113Loss93–19–1 Pat McMurtryUD1013 Jul 1956 Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
112Win93–18–1 Bob AlbrightRTD6 19 Jun 1956 Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
111Loss92–18–1 Wayne BetheaUD1021 May 1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
110Win92–17–1 Don JasperTKO9, 2:4621 Apr 1956 Windsor Arena, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
109Loss91–17–1 Young Jack JohnsonTKO6 29 Dec 1955 Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
108Win91–16–1 Bob AlbrightSD1022 Dec 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
107Win90–16–1 Toxie HallUD106 Dec 1955 Rochester War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, New York, U.S.
106Loss89–16–1 Toxie HallSD1014 Nov 1955 Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
105Loss89–15–1 Tommy JacksonUD1031 Aug 1955 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
104Loss89–14–1 Tommy JacksonUD103 Aug 1955 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
103Win89–13–1 Paul AndrewsSD1013 Jul 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
102Win88–13–1 John HolmanUD108 Jun 1955 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
101Loss87–13–1 John HolmanTKO9, 2:4827 Apr 1955 Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
100Win87–12–1 Vern EscoeKO3, 2:1511 Apr 1955 Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
99Win86–12–1 Charley NorkusUD1018 Feb 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
98Loss85–12–1 Rocky MarcianoKO8, 2:3617 Sep 1954 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.For NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
97Loss85–11–1 Rocky MarcianoUD1517 Jun 1954 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.For NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
96Win85–10–1 Bob SatterfieldKO2 13 Jan 1954 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
95Win84–10–1 Coley WallaceKO10, 2:4316 Dec 1953 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
94Loss83–10–1 Harold JohnsonSD108 Sep 1953 Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, U.S.
93Loss83–9–1 Niño ValdésUD1011 Aug 1953 Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
92Win83–8–1 Larry WatsonKO5, 2:5026 May 1953 Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
91Win82–8–1 Billy GilliamUD1012 May 1953 Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
90Win81–8–1 Rex LayneUD101 Apr 1953 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
89Win80–8–1 Tommy HarrisonTKO9 4 Feb 1953 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
88Win79–8–1 Wes BascomTKO9, 2:3414 Jan 1953 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
87Win78–8–1 Frank BufordTKO7, 2:1315 Dec 1952 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
86Win77–8–1 Jimmy BivinsUD1026 Nov 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
85Win76–8–1 Cesar BrionUD1024 Oct 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
84Win75–8–1 Bernie ReynoldsKO2, 1:408 Oct 1952 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
83Loss74–8–1 Rex LaynePTS108 Aug 1952 Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah, U.S.
82Loss74–7–1 Jersey Joe WalcottUD155 Jun 1952 Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.For NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
81Win74–6–1 Joe KahutKO8, 1:4012 Dec 1951 Pacific Livestock Pavilion, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
80Win73–6–1 Joey MaximUD1212 Dec 1951 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
79Win72–6–1 Rex LayneTKO11 10 Oct 1951 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78Loss71–6–1 Jersey Joe WalcottKO7, 0:5518 Jul 1951 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.Lost NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
77Win71–5–1 Joey MaximUD1530 May 1951 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Retained NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
76Win70–5–1 Jersey Joe WalcottUD157 Mar 1951 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Retained NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
75Win69–5–1 Lee OmaTKO10, 1:1912 Jan 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
74Win68–5–1 Nick BaroneKO11, 2:065 Dec 1950 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.Retained NBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
73Win67–5–1 Joe LouisUD1527 Sep 1950 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.Retained NBA heavyweight title;
Won vacant The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
72Win66–5–1 Freddie BeshoreTKO14, 2:5315 Aug 1950 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.Retained NBA heavyweight title
71Win65–5–1 Pat ValentinoKO8, 0:3514 Oct 1949 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.Retained NBA heavyweight title
70Win64–5–1 Gus Lesnevich7 10 Aug 1949 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.Retained NBA heavyweight title
69Win63–5–1 Jersey Joe WalcottUD1522 Jun 1949 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Won vacant NBA heavyweight title
68Win62–5–1 Joey MaximMD1528 Feb 1949 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
67Win61–5–1 Johnny HaynesKO8 7 Feb 1949 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66Win60–5–1 Joe BaksiTKO11, 2:3310 Dec 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
65Win59–5–1 Walter HaferKO7 15 Nov 1948 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
64Win58–5–1 Jimmy BivinsUD1013 Sep 1948 Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S.
63Win57–5–1 Erv SarlinUD1020 May 1948 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
62Win56–5–1 Elmer RayKO9, 2:437 May 1948 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
61Win55–5–1 Sam BaroudiKO10 20 Feb 1948 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
60Win54–5–1 Archie MooreKO8, 2:4013 Jan 1948 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
59Win53–5–1 Fitzie FitzpatrickKO4, 1:342 Dec 1947 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
58Win52–5–1 Teddy RandolphUD103 Nov 1947 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
57Win51–5–1 Clarence JonesKO1, 2:4127 Oct 1947 Radio Center Arena, Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
56Win50–5–1 Al SmithTKO4, 1:1116 Oct 1947 Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
55Win49–5–1 Lloyd MarshallKO2, 2:2529 Sep 1947 Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
54Win48–5–1 Joe MatisiUD1016 Sep 1947 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
53Loss47–5–1 Elmer Ray1025 Jul 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52Win47–4–1 Fitzie FitzpatrickKO5, 2:4314 Jul 1947 Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
51Win46–4–1 Archie MooreMD105 May 1947 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
50Win45–4–1 Erv SarlinUD1014 Apr 1947 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49Win44–4–1 Jimmy BivinsKO4, 1:1710 Mar 1947 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
48Win43–4–1 Oakland Billy SmithKO5, 1:3817 Feb 1947 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
47Win42–4–1 Jimmy BivinsUD1012 Nov 1946 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46Win41–4–1 Oakland Billy SmithUD1023 Sep 1946 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
45Win40–4–1 Lloyd MarshallKO6, 0:5729 Jul 1946 Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
44Win39–4–1 Shelton BellKO5, 2:2413 Jun 1946 Idora Park, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
43Win38–4–1 Archie MooreUD1020 May 1946 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
42Win37–4–1 Tommy HubertKO4, 1:4913 May 1946 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
41Win36–4–1 George ParksTKO6 15 Apr 1946 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40Win35–4–1 Billy DuncanKO4, 1:271 Apr 1946 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
39Win34–4–1 Tommy HubertUD1025 Mar 1946 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
38Win33–4–1 Al SheridanKO2, 2:5718 Feb 1946 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
37Win32–4–1 Al BarlowPTS316 Dec 1944 Brancaccio Theater, Esquilino, Rome, ItalyWon Inter-Allied light-heavyweight title
36Win31–4–1 Stanley GoiczPTS313 Dec 1944 Brancaccio Theater, Esquilino, Rome, Italy
35Loss30–4–1 Lloyd MarshallTKO8, 0:2531 Mar 1943 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
34Loss30–3–1 Jimmy BivinsUD107 Jan 1943 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
33Win30–2–1 Joey MaximUD101 Dec 1942 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
32Win29–2–1 Joey MaximUD1027 Oct 1942 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31Win28–2–1 Mose BrownKO6, 2:5115 Sep 1942 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
30Win27–2–1 Jose BasoraKO5, 2:5717 Aug 1942 Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29Win26–2–1 Booker BeckwithKO9, 2:1927 Jul 1942 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28Win25–2–1 Steve MamakosKO1, 2:4614 Jul 1942 Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
27Win24–2–1 Charley BurleyPTS1029 Jun 1942 Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania|Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26Win23–2–1 Charley BurleyUD1025 May 1942 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25Loss22–2–1 Kid TuneroUD1013 May 1942 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
24Win22–1–1 Billy PryorPTS108 Apr 1942 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
23Draw21–1–1 Ken Overlin102 Mar 1942 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
22Win21–1 Anton ChristoforidisTKO3, 2:4212 Jan 1942 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
21Win20–1 Teddy YaroszUD1017 Nov 1941 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
20Win19–1 Pat ManginiKO1, 2:5013 Oct 1941 Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
19Win18–1 Al GilbertTKO5, 3:0021 Jul 1941 Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
18Loss17–1 Ken OverlinUD109 Jun 1941 Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
17Win17–0 Rudy KozolePTS1012 May 1941 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
16Win16–0 Joe SutkaPTS1031 Mar 1941 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
15Win15–0 Floyd HowardKO7 10 Mar 1941 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
14Win14–0 Slaka CavrichKO2 24 Feb 1941 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
13Win13–0 Billy Bengal1010 Feb 1941 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
12Win12–0 Charley JeromeKO3 2 Dec 1940 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
11Win11–0 Marty SimmonsPTS101 Oct 1940 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
10Win10–0 Billy HoodKO2 23 Sep 1940 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
9Win9–0 John ReevesPTS45 Aug 1940 Haft's Acre, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
8Win8–0 Carl TurnerPTS629 Jun 1940 Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
7Win7–0 Young Kid AshKO3, 1:2017 Jun 1940 Legion Hall, Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S.
6Win6–0 Frankie Williams5, 3:0013 Jun 1940 Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
5Win5–0 Charley BanksKO1, 1:423 Jun 1940 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
4Win4–0 Charley BanksPTS620 May 1940 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
3Win3–0 Remo FernandezPTS63 Apr 1940 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
2Win2–0 John Reeves627 Mar 1940 Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
1Win1–0 Melody Johnson4 12 Mar 1940 Armory, Middletown, Pennsylvania, U.S.