Ezzard Charles

Profession: Boxer and World Heavyweight Champion

Nationality:

Biography: Ezzard Charles was an American professional boxer consider by many to be the all-time greatest in the light heavyweight class. Known as the "Cincinnati Cobra," Charles had a career that spanned from 1940 to 1959. He is most famous for defeating Joe Louis to win the heavyweight title in 1950, a title he successfully defended multiple times.

Charles was not as widely celebrated as some other heavyweight champions, partly because he followed in the wake of the immensely popular Joe Louis. However, he earned respect for his durability and technical mastery, qualities that enabled him to beat a range of top fighters in various weight classes, including Archie Moore.

Charles retired with a record of 93 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw. Several years later he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, which eventually left him completely disabled. He died in 1975, and then was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Born: July 7, 1921
Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: May 27, 1975 (aged 53)
Cause of Death: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Historical Events

1949-06-22 Ezzard Charles beats Jersey Joe Walcott in 15 for National Boxing Association world heavyweight title, at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois
1949-08-10 Ezzard Charles TKOs Gus Lesnevich in 8 for heavyweight boxing title
1949-10-14 Ezzard Charles TKOs Pat Valentino in 8 for heavyweight boxing title
1950-08-15 Ezzard Charles TKOs Freddie Beshore in 14 to retain heavyweight boxing title
1950-09-27 Heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles defeats Joe Louis in 15 in Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
1950-12-05 Ezzard Charles KOs Nick Barone in 11 for heavyweight boxing title
1951-01-12 Ezzard Charles TKOs Lee Oma in 10 for heavyweight boxing title
1951-03-07 Ezzard Charles beats Jersey Joe Walcott in 15 for 2nd time to win National Boxing Association world heavyweight title, at the Olympia in Detroit, Michigan
1951-05-30 Ezzard Charles beats Joey Maxim in 15 for heavyweight boxing title
1951-07-18 Jersey Joe Walcott KOs Ezzard Charles in 7 rounds, becoming at age 37 the then oldest world heavyweight champion, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1952-06-05 1st sporting event televised nationally - Jersey Joe Walcott beats Ezzard Charles in 15 rounds for heavyweight boxing title, at Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1954-06-17 Rocky Marciano beats Ezzard Charles by unanimous points decision in his 3rd world heavyweight boxing title defense at Yankee Stadium, NYC
1954-09-17 In a quick re-match at Yankee Stadium, NYC, Rocky Marciano KOs Ezzard Charles in the 8th round to retain his world heavyweight boxing title