Ezzard Charles
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Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 - May 27, 1975) was a professional boxer and former Heavyweight Champion of the world. Charles is best remembered for his two unsuccessful attempts to regain the heavyweight championship from Rocky Marciano.
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A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he served in the US military during World War II. Known as "The Cincinnati Cobra", he returned to boxing after the War, gaining much recognition after he defeated the great light-heavyweight, Archie Moore. It was shortly after this classic bout that tragedy struck. Charles fought a tough, young boxer named Sam Baroudi knocking him out. Baroudi died of the injuries he sustained in this bout. Charles was so devastated he almost gave up fighting. He adapted a more cautious style afterwards trying not to hurt his opponents.
Charles also defeated such notables as Joey Maxim along with fellow Heavyweight Champions Joe Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott on his way to a career record of 96-25-1 (58). Charles lost more bouts than any other champion, but most of these losses came when he was well past his fistic prime.
Charles' career culminated with his victory over Louis in 1950, cementing his position as Heavyweight Champion of the world.
His two stirring battles with Marciano are regarded as ring classics. In the first bout, held in June of 1954, Charles captured an early lead, opened a bad cut over Marciano's eye, and fought gallantly for fifteen rounds against the champion's irrepressible onslaught. Marciano was awarded the close, but clear, 15 round decision. In their September re-match, Charles split Marciano's nose and came within a few rounds of winning the fight by TKO. Marciano, however, rallied to KO Charles in the 8th round. Financial and personal problems forced Charles to fight long after he should have retired. He was only a shell of his former self losing 12 of his final 23 fights.
Ezzard Charles died in Chicago, Illinois from multiple sclerosis in 1975 and was interred in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
| Preceded by: Joe Louis | Heavyweight boxing champion 1949–1951 | Succeeded by: Jersey Joe Walcott |