Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Mack Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and raised by his grandmother and aunt in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. Beginning his boxing career as a brilliant amateur, Charles won the 1939 National Golden Gloves with an undefeated 42-0 amateur record. Serving in the US Army during World War II in Europe, he returned to dominate the light-heavyweight division, defeating hall-of-famers Archie Moore (three times), Charley Burley, and Joey Maxim.

Because the light-heavyweight champion refused to fight him, Charles moved up to the heavyweight division. Following Joe Louis's retirement in 1949, Charles defeated Jersey Joe Walcott for the NBA title. In September 1950 at Yankee Stadium, when Louis emerged from retirement to challenge him, Charles produced a masterclass of surgical combination punching, outpointing Louis over fifteen rounds to become the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion.

Nicknamed 'The Cincinnati Cobra' for his blinding hand speed, defensive slipping, and lethal counter-strikes, Charles defended his crown eight times. In June 1954, Charles challenged champion Rocky Marciano at Yankee Stadium, taking Marciano the full fifteen rounds in a savage battle that was named Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. In their September rematch, Charles tore Marciano's nose in half before being stopped in the eighth round. Charles retired with 95 wins in 121 professional bouts.