Professional Boxer. Started out undefeated in 42 amateur fights as a welterweight and middleweight. He became a professional shortly after winning the AAU national middleweight title in 1939 and he won 20 consecutive pro fights before losing a 10-round decision to former middleweight champion Ken Overlin on June 9, 1941. He served in the Army during 1944 and 1945 and began fighting as a light heavyweight after World War II. Charles had three victories, one a knockout, over future champion Archie Moore in a three-year period, then moved into the heavyweight division. After Joe Louis retired, Charles beat Jersey Joe Walcott on a 15-round decision on June 22, 1949, in Chicago to win the National Boxing Association version of the championship. Louis then came out of retirement and Charles became world champion with a 15-round decision over him on September 27, 1950. After three successful defenses, Charles lost the title on July 18, 1951, when Walcott knocked him out in the 7th round in Pittsburgh. Walcott won a 15-round decision in a rematch on June 5 of the following year. Charles had two more shots at the title, both against Rocky Marciano in 1954. In the first fight, on June 17, Charles lost a 15-round decision. Marciano, who usually won by knockout, later said it was the toughest fight he ever had. On September 17, Marciano knocked Charles out in the 8th round. Charles retired late in 1956 but returned to the ring in 1958. After losing 4 of 6 fights over a two-year period, he retired for good. He came down with "Lou Gehrig's disease" in 1966 and died nine years later. He had 122 professional bouts and win 96, 58 by knockout. He lost 25, 7 by knockout, and fought 1 draw.
Professional Boxer. Started out undefeated in 42 amateur fights as a welterweight and middleweight. He became a professional shortly after winning the AAU national middleweight title in 1939 and he won 20 consecutive pro fights before losing a 10-round decision to former middleweight champion Ken Overlin on June 9, 1941. He served in the Army during 1944 and 1945 and began fighting as a light heavyweight after World War II. Charles had three victories, one a knockout, over future champion Archie Moore in a three-year period, then moved into the heavyweight division. After Joe Louis retired, Charles beat Jersey Joe Walcott on a 15-round decision on June 22, 1949, in Chicago to win the National Boxing Association version of the championship. Louis then came out of retirement and Charles became world champion with a 15-round decision over him on September 27, 1950. After three successful defenses, Charles lost the title on July 18, 1951, when Walcott knocked him out in the 7th round in Pittsburgh. Walcott won a 15-round decision in a rematch on June 5 of the following year. Charles had two more shots at the title, both against Rocky Marciano in 1954. In the first fight, on June 17, Charles lost a 15-round decision. Marciano, who usually won by knockout, later said it was the toughest fight he ever had. On September 17, Marciano knocked Charles out in the 8th round. Charles retired late in 1956 but returned to the ring in 1958. After losing 4 of 6 fights over a two-year period, he retired for good. He came down with "Lou Gehrig's disease" in 1966 and died nine years later. He had 122 professional bouts and win 96, 58 by knockout. He lost 25, 7 by knockout, and fought 1 draw.
Bio by: Ggg Ddd
Inscription
Beloved Husband & Father
Gravesite Details
statue at 500 Ezzard Charles Dr., Laurel Park, West End, Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio,approx. 39.1095N, 84.5257W, about 5 blocks East of Cincinnati Museum. source: Merriam-Webster & Sharon Coolidge, The Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2022
Advertisement
