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Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 - May 27, 1975)
was a professional boxer and former List of
Heavyweight Champions|Heavyweight Champion of the
world.  Charles is best remembered for his two
unsuccessful attempts to regain the heavyweight
championship from Rocky Marciano. 


A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he served in the US
military during World War II. Known as "The
Cincinnati Cobra", he returned to boxing after
the War, gaining much recognition after he
defeated the great light-heavyweight, Archie
Moore. It was shortly after this classic bout that
tragedy struck. Charles fought a tough, young
boxer named Sam Baroudi knocking him out. Baroudi
died of the injuries he sustained in this bout.
Charles was so devastated he almost gave up
fighting. He adapted a more cautious style
afterwards trying not to hurt his opponents. 

Charles also defeated such notables as Joey Maxim
along with fellow List of Heavyweight
Champions|Heavyweight Champions Joe Louis and
Jersey Joe Walcott on his way to a career record
of 96-25-1 (58). Charles lost more bouts than any
other champion, but most of these losses came when
he was well past his fistic prime. 

Charles' career culminated with his victory over
Joe Louis|Louis in 1950, cementing his position as
Heavyweight Champion of the world.

His two stirring battles with Marciano are
regarded as ring classics.  In the first bout,
held in June of 1954, Charles captured an early
lead, opened a bad cut over Marciano's eye, and
fought gallantly for fifteen rounds against the
champion's irrepressible onslaught.  Marciano was
awarded the close, but clear, 15 round decision. 
In their September re-match, Charles split
Marciano's nose and came within a few rounds of
winning the fight by TKO.  Marciano, however,
rallied to KO Charles in the 8th round. Financial
and personal problems forced Charles to fight long
after he should have retired. He was only a shell
of his former self losing 12 of his final 23
fights. 

Ezzard Charles died in Chicago, Illinois from
multiple sclerosis in 1975 and was interred in the
Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of
Fame in 1990. 

bio-stub

start box
succession box |
  before= Joe Louis |
  title= List of heavyweight boxing
champions|Heavyweight boxing champion |
  years= 1949–1951 |
  after= Jersey Joe Walcott

end box