Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Mack Charles, known as the Cincinnati Cobra (July 7, 1921 – May 28, 1975), 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 and is often known as the greatest light heavyweight boxer of all time.[1] As of December 2020, BoxRec ranks Charles as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time with 1,869 points. He is also the first fighter to have surpassed 1,000 points in BoxRec ratings at the conclusion of a year.[2][3] Charles has won 20 fights rated by BoxRec as 5-Star, including eight at heavyweight. 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.

Ezzard Charles
Charles in his prime in 1950.
Statistics
Real name	Ezzard Mack Charles
Nickname(s)	Cincinnati Cobra
Weight(s)	Middleweight Light-heavyweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Born	7 July 1921 Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.
Died	28 May 1975 (aged 53) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	121
Wins	95
Wins by KO	52
Losses	25
Draws	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  United States Chicago Golden Gloves 1939 Chicago Middleweight US National Championships 1939 San Francisco Middleweight

Career

Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, but is commonly thought of as a Cincinnatian, where he grew up.[4] Charles graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was already becoming a well-known fighter.[5] 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.[6]

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 Yankee Stadium on June 17, 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. Marciano won a unanimous decision. Referee Ruby Goldstein scored the bout 8-5-2 in rounds for the champion. Judge Artie Aidala scored the fight 9-5-1 while judge Harold Barnes' tally was 8-6-1. Nevertheless, a number of fans and boxing writers felt that Charles deserved the decision.[7] 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 held a record of 83 wins, 12 losses and 1 draw before financial problems became a factor in his career). He retired with a record of 93-25-1 (52 KOs). 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.[8] Charles also starred in one motion picture: Mau Mau Drums, an independent (and unreleased) 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.[9] Charles died on May 28, 1975, in Chicago.

Legacy

Commemorative stamp honoring Charles

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.[10]

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 (International Boxing Research Organisation).[11]

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.[12]

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.[13]

Prominent boxing historian Bert Sugar listed Charles as the seventh greatest Heavyweight of all time.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary

121 fights	95 wins	25 losses
By knockout	52	7
By decision	43	17
By disqualification	0	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
121	Loss	95–25–1	Alvin Green	UD	10	1 Sep 1959	Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
120	Loss	95–24–1	George Logan	KO	8 (10), 1:50	30 Jul 1959	Fairgrounds Arena, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
119	Win	95–23–1	Dave Ashley	TKO	9 (10)	3 Jul 1959	Lincoln Heights High School, Lincoln Heights, California, U.S.
118	Loss	94–23–1	Donnie Fleeman	KO	6 (10), 2:13	27 Oct 1958	Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
117	Loss	94–22–1	Alfredo Zuany	UD	10	28 Aug 1958	Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
116	Win	94–21–1	Johnny Harper	UD	10	28 Aug 1958	East-West Stadium, Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S.
115	Loss	93–21–1	Dick Richardson	DQ	2 (10)	2 Oct 1956	Harringay Arena, London, England
114	Loss	93–20–1	Harry Matthews	UD	10	31 Aug 1956	Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
113	Loss	93–19–1	Pat McMurtry	UD	10	13 Jul 1956	Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
112	Win	93–18–1	Bob Albright	RTD	6 (10)	19 Jun 1956	Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
111	Loss	92–18–1	Wayne Bethea	UD	10	21 May 1956	St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
110	Win	92–17–1	Don Jasper	TKO	9 (10), 2:46	21 Apr 1956	Windsor Arena, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
109	Loss	91–17–1	Young Jack Johnson	TKO	6 (10)	29 Dec 1955	Grand Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
108	Win	91–16–1	Bob Albright	SD	10	22 Dec 1955	Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
107	Win	90–16–1	Toxie Hall	UD	10	6 Dec 1955	Rochester War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester, New York, U.S.
106	Loss	89–16–1	Toxie Hall	SD	10	14 Nov 1955	Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
105	Loss	89–15–1	Tommy Jackson	UD	10	31 Aug 1955	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
104	Loss	89–14–1	Tommy Jackson	UD	10	3 Aug 1955	War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
103	Win	89–13–1	Paul Andrews	SD	10	13 Jul 1955	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
102	Win	88–13–1	John Holman	UD	10	8 Jun 1955	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
101	Loss	87–13–1	John Holman	TKO	9 (10), 2:48	27 Apr 1955	Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
100	Win	87–12–1	Vern Escoe	KO	3 (10), 2:15	11 Apr 1955	Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
99	Win	86–12–1	Charley Norkus	UD	10	18 Feb 1955	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
98	Loss	85–12–1	Rocky Marciano	KO	8 (15), 2:36	17 Sep 1954	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
97	Loss	85–11–1	Rocky Marciano	UD	15	17 Jun 1954	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
96	Win	85–10–1	Bob Satterfield	KO	2 (10)	13 Jan 1954	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
95	Win	84–10–1	Coley Wallace	KO	10 (10), 2:43	16 Dec 1953	San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
94	Loss	83–10–1	Harold Johnson	SD	10	8 Sep 1953	Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
93	Loss	83–9–1	Niño Valdés	UD	10	11 Aug 1953	Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
92	Win	83–8–1	Larry Watson	KO	5 (10), 2:50	26 May 1953	Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
91	Win	82–8–1	Billy Gilliam	UD	10	12 May 1953	Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
90	Win	81–8–1	Rex Layne	UD	10	1 Apr 1953	Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
89	Win	80–8–1	Tommy Harrison	TKO	9 (10)	4 Feb 1953	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
88	Win	79–8–1	Wes Bascom	TKO	9 (10), 2:34	14 Jan 1953	St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
87	Win	78–8–1	Frank Buford	TKO	7 (10), 2:13	15 Dec 1952	Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
86	Win	77–8–1	Jimmy Bivins	UD	10	26 Nov 1952	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
85	Win	76–8–1	Cesar Brion	UD	10	24 Oct 1952	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
84	Win	75–8–1	Bernie Reynolds	KO	2 (12), 1:40	8 Oct 1952	Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
83	Loss	74–8–1	Rex Layne	PTS	10	8 Aug 1952	Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah, U.S.
82	Loss	74–7–1	Jersey Joe Walcott	UD	15	5 Jun 1952	Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.	For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
81	Win	74–6–1	Joe Kahut	KO	8 (12), 1:40	12 Dec 1951	Pacific Livestock Pavilion, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
80	Win	73–6–1	Joey Maxim	UD	12	12 Dec 1951	Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
79	Win	72–6–1	Rex Layne	TKO	11 (12)	10 Oct 1951	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78	Loss	71–6–1	Jersey Joe Walcott	KO	7 (15), 0:55	18 Jul 1951	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.	Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
77	Win	71–5–1	Joey Maxim	UD	15	30 May 1951	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
76	Win	70–5–1	Jersey Joe Walcott	UD	15	7 Mar 1951	Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
75	Win	69–5–1	Lee Oma	TKO	10 (15), 1:19	12 Jan 1951	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.	Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
74	Win	68–5–1	Nick Barone	KO	11 (15), 2:06	5 Dec 1950	Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.	Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
73	Win	67–5–1	Joe Louis	UD	15	27 Sep 1950	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.	Retained NBA heavyweight title; Won vacant NYSAC and The Ring heavyweight titles
72	Win	66–5–1	Freddie Beshore	TKO	14 (15), 2:53	15 Aug 1950	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.	Retained NBA heavyweight title
71	Win	65–5–1	Pat Valentino	KO	8 (15), 0:35	14 Oct 1949	Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.	Retained NBA heavyweight title
70	Win	64–5–1	Gus Lesnevich	RTD	7 (15)	10 Aug 1949	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.	Retained NBA heavyweight title
69	Win	63–5–1	Jersey Joe Walcott	UD	15	22 Jun 1949	Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.	Won vacant NBA heavyweight title
68	Win	62–5–1	Joey Maxim	MD	15	28 Feb 1949	Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
67	Win	61–5–1	Johnny Haynes	KO	8 (10)	7 Feb 1949	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66	Win	60–5–1	Joe Baksi	TKO	11 (15), 2:33	10 Dec 1948	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
65	Win	59–5–1	Walter Hafer	KO	7 (10)	15 Nov 1948	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
64	Win	58–5–1	Jimmy Bivins	UD	10	13 Sep 1948	Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S.
63	Win	57–5–1	Erv Sarlin	UD	10	20 May 1948	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
62	Win	56–5–1	Elmer Ray	KO	9 (10), 2:43	7 May 1948	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
61	Win	55–5–1	Sam Baroudi	KO	10 (10)	20 Feb 1948	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
60	Win	54–5–1	Archie Moore	KO	8 (15), 2:40	13 Jan 1948	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
59	Win	53–5–1	Fitzie Fitzpatrick	KO	4 (12), 1:34	2 Dec 1947	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
58	Win	52–5–1	Teddy Randolph	UD	10	3 Nov 1947	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
57	Win	51–5–1	Clarence Jones	KO	1 (10), 2:41	27 Oct 1947	Radio Center Arena, Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
56	Win	50–5–1	Al Smith	TKO	4 (10), 1:11	16 Oct 1947	Armory, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
55	Win	49–5–1	Lloyd Marshall	KO	2 (10), 2:25	29 Sep 1947	Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
54	Win	48–5–1	Joe Matisi	UD	10	16 Sep 1947	Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
53	Loss	47–5–1	Elmer Ray	SD	10	25 Jul 1947	Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
52	Win	47–4–1	Fitzie Fitzpatrick	KO	5 (10), 2:43	14 Jul 1947	Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
51	Win	46–4–1	Archie Moore	MD	10	5 May 1947	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
50	Win	45–4–1	Erv Sarlin	UD	10	14 Apr 1947	Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49	Win	44–4–1	Jimmy Bivins	KO	4 (10), 1:17	10 Mar 1947	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
48	Win	43–4–1	Oakland Billy Smith	KO	5 (12), 1:38	17 Feb 1947	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
47	Win	42–4–1	Jimmy Bivins	UD	10	12 Nov 1946	Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46	Win	41–4–1	Oakland Billy Smith	UD	10	23 Sep 1946	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
45	Win	40–4–1	Lloyd Marshall	KO	6 (10), 0:57	29 Jul 1946	Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
44	Win	39–4–1	Shelton Bell	KO	5 (10), 2:24	13 Jun 1946	Idora Park, Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
43	Win	38–4–1	Archie Moore	UD	10	20 May 1946	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
42	Win	37–4–1	Tommy Hubert	KO	4 (10), 1:49	13 May 1946	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
41	Win	36–4–1	George Parks	TKO	6 (10)	15 Apr 1946	Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40	Win	35–4–1	Billy Duncan	KO	4 (10), 1:27	1 Apr 1946	Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
39	Win	34–4–1	Tommy Hubert	UD	10	25 Mar 1946	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
38	Win	33–4–1	Al Sheridan	KO	2 (10), 2:57	18 Feb 1946	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
37	Win	32–4–1	Al Barlow	PTS	3	16 Dec 1944	Brancaccio Theater, Esquilino, Rome, Italy	Won Inter-Allied light heavyweight title
36	Win	31–4–1	Stanley Goicz	PTS	3	13 Dec 1944	Brancaccio Theater, Esquilino, Rome, Italy
35	Loss	30–4–1	Lloyd Marshall	TKO	8 (10), 0:25	31 Mar 1943	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
34	Loss	30–3–1	Jimmy Bivins	UD	10	7 Jan 1943	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
33	Win	30–2–1	Joey Maxim	UD	10	1 Dec 1942	Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
32	Win	29–2–1	Joey Maxim	UD	10	27 Oct 1942	Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
31	Win	28–2–1	Mose Brown	KO	6 (10), 2:51	15 Sep 1942	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
30	Win	27–2–1	Jose Basora	KO	5 (10), 2:57	17 Aug 1942	Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29	Win	26–2–1	Booker Beckwith	KO	9 (10), 2:19	27 Jul 1942	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28	Win	25–2–1	Steve Mamakos	KO	1 (10), 2:46	14 Jul 1942	Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
27	Win	24–2–1	Charley Burley	PTS	10	29 Jun 1942	Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26	Win	23–2–1	Charley Burley	UD	10	25 May 1942	Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25	Loss	22–2–1	Kid Tunero	UD	10	13 May 1942	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
24	Win	22–1–1	Billy Pryor	PTS	10	8 Apr 1942	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
23	Draw	21–1–1	Ken Overlin	MD	10	2 Mar 1942	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
22	Win	21–1	Anton Christoforidis	TKO	3 (10), 2:42	12 Jan 1942	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
21	Win	20–1	Teddy Yarosz	UD	10	17 Nov 1941	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
20	Win	19–1	Pat Mangini	KO	1 (10), 2:50	13 Oct 1941	Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
19	Win	18–1	Al Gilbert	TKO	5 (10), 3:00	21 Jul 1941	Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
18	Loss	17–1	Ken Overlin	UD	10	9 Jun 1941	Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	Rudy Kozole	PTS	10	12 May 1941	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
16	Win	16–0	Joe Sutka	PTS	10	31 Mar 1941	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Floyd Howard	KO	7 (10)	10 Mar 1941	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Slaka Cavrich	KO	2 (10)	24 Feb 1941	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Billy Bengal	UD	10	10 Feb 1941	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Charley Jerome	KO	3 (10)	2 Dec 1940	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Marty Simmons	PTS	10	1 Oct 1940	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Billy Hood	KO	2 (10)	23 Sep 1940	Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	John Reeves	PTS	4	5 Aug 1940	Haft's Acre, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Carl Turner	PTS	6	29 Jun 1940	Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Young Kid Ash	KO	3 (6), 1:20	17 Jun 1940	Legion Hall, Portsmouth, Ohio, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Frankie Williams	TKO	5 (8), 3:00	13 Jun 1940	Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Charley Banks	KO	1 (6), 1:42	3 Jun 1940	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Charley Banks	PTS	6	20 May 1940	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Remo Fernandez	PTS	6	3 Apr 1940	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	John Reeves	PTS	6	27 Mar 1940	Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Melody Johnson	KO	4 (4)	12 Mar 1940	Armory, Middletown, Pennsylvania, U.S.

See also

• List of heavyweight boxing champions

References

1. http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/on-this-day-ezzard-charles-one-of-the-greatest-fighters-of-all-time-was-born/
2. "BoxRec's Annual Ratings: P4P Annuals". BoxRec. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
3. "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive". BoxRec. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
4. "Ezzard Charles". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
5. Newsmakers Interview with Ezzard Charles Jr., WKRC Channel 12, Cincinnati, August 17, 2008
6. Detloff, William (September 2002). "The 20 Greatest Light Heavyweights of All-Time". The Ring. 81 (10): 50.
7. Will Hammock. "The Champ: County to honor legendary boxer Charles today." Gwinnett Daily Post. June 5, 2010
8. Newsmakers interview with Ezzard Charles Jr., WKRC Channel 12 Cincinnati, August 17, 2008
9. "1970's Muscular Dystrophy Commercial with Ezzard Charles". YouTube. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
10. Guide to 20th Century African American Resources, Cincinnati Historical Society
11. "IBRO'S 25 Greatest Fighters of All Time". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
12. "Espn.Com: All-Time Greatest Boxers". Sports.espn.go.com. 8 March 1971. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
13. The Greatest Light Heavyweights of All Time Archived September 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine

Further reading

• Grace, Kevin & Grace, Joshua (2006). Cincinnati Boxing. Chicago: Arcadia. ISBN 0-7385-4112-5.

External links

• Boxing record for Ezzard Charles from BoxRec
• https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/NBA_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights
• https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/NYSAC_World_Heavyweight_Title_Fights
• Ezzard Charles - CBZ Profile
• Boxing Hall of Fame
• Cincinnati History Library and Archives -- Ezzard Charles