Ezzard Charles boxer

Ezzard Charles boxer
bouts
121
won
95
lost
25
draw
1
Status
inactive
Division
heavyweight
Debut
1940-03-12
Height
6′ 0″/183cm
Reach
73″/185cm
Age
53
Born
1921-07-07
Death
1975-05-28
Nationality
USA

Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 – May 28, 1975), known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. Known for his slick defense and precision, he is often considered the greatest light heavyweight boxer of all time. As of May 2021, BoxRec ranks Charles as the second greatest boxer of all time, pound for pound, behind Floyd Mayweather Jr. Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles retired with a record of 95 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw. He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and grew up in Cincinnati. 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.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.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.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
1959-09-01 Alvin Green WWWLLW Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City LOST
Unanimous decision
1959-07-30 George Logan WWWWWW Fairgrounds Arena, Boise LOST
KO
1959-07-03 Dave Ashley LLLLLW Lincoln Heights High School, Lincoln Heights WIN
Technical knockout
1958-10-27 Donnie Fleeman WWWWLW Memorial Auditorium, Dallas LOST
KO
1958-09-30 Alfredo Zuany WWWWWW Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez LOST
Unanimous decision
1958-08-28 Johnny Harper LLWLWW East-West Stadium, Fairmont WIN
Unanimous decision
1956-10-02 Dick Richardson WWWLWW Harringay Arena, Harringay LOST
1956-08-31 Harry Matthews WWLLWW Sicks' Stadium, Seattle LOST
Unanimous decision
1956-07-13 Pat McMurtry WDWWWW Lincoln Bowl, Tacoma LOST
Unanimous decision
1956-06-19 Bob Albright DDWWLL Softball Park, Phoenix WIN
Corner retirement
1956-05-21 Wayne Bethea LDLWWW St. Nicholas Arena, New York LOST
Unanimous decision
1956-04-21 Don Jasper WLLWLW Windsor Arena, Windsor WIN
Technical knockout
1955-12-29 Young Jack Johnson WWLWWW Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles LOST
Technical knockout
1955-12-22 Bob Albright LWDDWW Cow Palace, Daly City WIN
Split-decision
1955-12-06 Toxie Hall LLWDWW War Memorial Auditorium, Rochester WIN
Unanimous decision
1955-11-14 Toxie Hall LLLWDW Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence LOST
Split-decision
1955-08-31 Tommy Jackson WWWWWW Arena, Cleveland LOST
Unanimous decision
1955-08-03 Tommy Jackson WWWWWW War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse LOST
Unanimous decision
1955-07-13 Paul Andrews WWLWLW Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
Split-decision
1955-06-08 John Holman WLWWWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Unanimous decision
1955-04-27 John Holman LWLWWW Auditorium, Miami Beach LOST
Technical knockout
1955-04-11 Vern Escoe WWWWWL Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton WIN
KO
1955-02-18 Charley Norkus WWLWWW Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Unanimous decision
1954-09-17 Rocky Marciano WWWWWW Yankee Stadium, Bronx LOST
KO
1954-06-17 Rocky Marciano WWWWWW Yankee Stadium, Bronx LOST
Unanimous decision
1954-01-13 Bob Satterfield WLWWWW Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
KO
1953-12-16 Coley Wallace WWLWWW Civic Auditorium, San Francisco WIN
KO
1953-09-08 Harold Johnson WWWWWW Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia LOST
Split-decision
1953-08-11 Nino Valdes WLLLLW Auditorium, Miami Beach LOST
Unanimous decision
1953-05-26 Larry Watson LLWLLW Arena, Milwaukee WIN
KO
1953-05-12 Billy Gilliam LLWLLW Sports Arena, Toledo WIN
Unanimous decision
1953-04-01 Rex Layne WWLWWL Winterland Arena, San Francisco WIN
Unanimous decision
1953-02-04 Tommy Harrison DWLWWW Olympia Stadium, Detroit WIN
Technical knockout
1953-01-14 Wes Bascom LLWWLL Arena, Saint Louis WIN
Technical knockout
1952-12-15 Frank Buford DLLWLW Boston Garden, Boston WIN
Technical knockout
1952-11-26 Jimmy Bivins LWWWWL Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
Unanimous decision
1952-10-24 Cesar Brion WWWLWW Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Unanimous decision
1952-10-08 Bernie Reynolds LLWLWL Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1952-08-08 Rex Layne WLWWWL Ogden Stadium, Ogden LOST
Points
1952-06-05 Jersey Joe Walcott WWWLLW Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia LOST
Unanimous decision
1951-12-21 Joe Kahut WWWWDL Pacific Livestock Pavilion, Portland WIN
KO
1951-12-12 Joey Maxim WWWWLW Cow Palace, Daly City WIN
Unanimous decision
1951-10-10 Rex Layne WWWWWL Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
Technical knockout
1951-07-18 Jersey Joe Walcott WWWWLL Forbes Field, Pittsburgh LOST
KO
1951-05-30 Joey Maxim WWWWWW Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
Unanimous decision
1951-03-07 Jersey Joe Walcott WWWWWL Olympia Stadium, Detroit WIN
Unanimous decision
1951-01-12 Lee Oma WWLWW Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Technical knockout
1950-12-05 Nick Barone WWWLWW Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1950-09-27 Joe Louis WWWWWW Yankee Stadium, Bronx WIN
Unanimous decision
1950-08-15 Freddie Beshore WWLWLL Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo WIN
Technical knockout
1949-10-14 Pat Valentino DLDWWW Cow Palace, Daly City WIN
KO
1949-08-10 Gus Lesnevich WWWLWL Yankee Stadium, Bronx WIN
Corner retirement
1949-06-22 Jersey Joe Walcott LWWWLL Comiskey Park, Chicago WIN
Unanimous decision
1949-02-28 Joey Maxim WWWLWW Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati WIN
Majority decision
1949-02-07 Johnny Haynes LLWWLW Arena, Philadelphia WIN
KO
1948-12-10 Joe Baksi WWWWLW Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Technical knockout
1948-11-15 Walter Hafer LWLLLW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1948-09-13 Jimmy Bivins WWWWWL Griffith Stadium, Washington WIN
Unanimous decision
1948-05-20 Erv Sarlin DLWWLL Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo WIN
Unanimous decision
1948-05-07 Elmer Ray WWWWWW Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
KO
1948-02-20 Sam Baroudi LWWWWW Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
KO
1948-01-13 Archie Moore LWWWWW Arena, Cleveland WIN
KO
1947-12-02 Fitzie Fitzpatrick WWLLLW Arena, Cleveland WIN
Technical knockout
1947-11-03 Teddy Randolph LLWWWL Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo WIN
Unanimous decision
1947-10-27 Clarence Jones WLLLLL Radio Center Arena, Huntington WIN
KO
1947-10-16 Al Smith LLLWWW Armory, Akron WIN
Technical knockout
1947-09-29 Lloyd Marshall WWLLWW Crosley Field, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1947-09-16 Joe Matisi LWDWWL Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo WIN
Unanimous decision
1947-07-25 Elmer Ray WWLWWW Madison Square Garden, New York LOST
Split-decision
1947-07-14 Fitzie Fitzpatrick DWWWWL Crosley Field, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1947-05-05 Archie Moore WWDDWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Majority decision
1947-04-14 Erv Sarlin WWWLWW Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1947-03-10 Jimmy Bivins LLWWWW Arena, Cleveland WIN
KO
1947-02-17 Oakland Billy Smith WLDWWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1946-11-12 Jimmy Bivins WWWWLL Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1946-09-23 Oakland Billy Smith WLWLWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Unanimous decision
1946-07-29 Lloyd Marshall LLWWWL Crosley Field, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1946-06-13 Shelton Bell WLWWLW Idora Park, Youngstown WIN
KO
1946-05-20 Archie Moore WWWWWW Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1946-05-13 Tommy Hubert WWWWWL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1946-04-15 George Parks WLLWLL Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
Technical knockout
1946-04-01 Billy Duncan WLWWWL Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
KO
1946-03-25 Tommy Hubert WWWWWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Unanimous decision
1946-02-18 Al Sheridan LLWWLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1944-12-16 Al Barlow debut Brancaccio Theatre, Roma WIN
Points
1944-12-13 Stanley Goicz WWWWWD Brancaccio Theatre, Roma WIN
Points
1943-03-31 Lloyd Marshall LWWWWW Arena, Cleveland LOST
Technical knockout
1943-01-07 Jimmy Bivins LWWWWW Arena, Cleveland LOST
Unanimous decision
1942-12-01 Joey Maxim LWWWWL Arena, Cleveland WIN
Unanimous decision
1942-10-27 Joey Maxim WLWWWW Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1942-09-15 Mose Brown LLLWWL Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
KO
1942-08-17 Jose Basora LWWDWW Hickey Park, Millvale WIN
KO
1942-07-27 Booker Beckwith WWLWLW Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
KO
1942-07-14 Steve Mamakos LLWLLL Crosley Field, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1942-06-29 Charley Burley WWWWLW Hickey Park, Millvale WIN
Unanimous decision
1942-05-25 Charley Burley WWWWWW Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1942-05-13 Kid Tunero LWWWLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati LOST
Split-decision
1942-04-08 Billy Pryor WLLLWL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1942-03-02 Ken Overlin WWWWWD Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati DRAW
Majority decision
1942-01-12 Anton Christoforidis WWWLWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Technical knockout
1941-11-17 Teddy Yarosz WWLWLW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Unanimous decision
1941-10-13 Pat Mangini LLLWLW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1941-07-21 Al Gilbert LDWLDW Parkway Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Technical knockout
1941-06-09 Ken Overlin WDWWWL Crosley Field, Cincinnati LOST
Unanimous decision
1941-05-12 Rudy Kozole WWWWWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1941-03-31 Joe Sutka WLLLWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1941-03-10 Floyd Howard WWWWL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1941-02-24 Slaka Cavrich WWWD Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1941-02-10 Billy Bengal DLDLLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Unanimous decision
1940-12-02 Charley Jerome DLLLDL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1940-10-01 Marty Simmons LLWWLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1940-09-23 Billy Hood WLWLLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1940-08-05 John Reeves LLLLLD Haft's Acre, Columbus WIN
Points
1940-07-29 Carl Turner WLWWWW Parkway Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1940-06-17 Young Kid Ash LLWLLL Legion Hall, Portsmouth WIN
KO
1940-06-13 Frankie Williams LLWWLW Parkway Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Technical knockout
1940-06-03 Charley Banks LWLDWL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
KO
1940-05-20 Charley Banks DLWLDW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1940-04-03 Remo Fernandez WWLDLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1940-03-27 John Reeves DLLLLL Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati WIN
Points
1940-03-12 Melody Johnson debut Armory, Middletown WIN
KO