- Charles, Ezzard
-
▪ American athletein full Ezzard Mack Charlesborn July 7, 1921, Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.died May 28, 1975, Chicago, IllinoisAmerican world heavyweight boxing champion from September 27, 1950, when he outpointed Joe Louis (Louis, Joe) in 15 rounds in New York City, to July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Jersey Joe Walcott (Walcott, Jersey Joe) in 7 rounds in Pittsburgh.Ezzard won several amateur championships, including two Golden Gloves crowns—welterweight (1938) and middleweight (1939)—before turning professional in 1940. Before winning the heavyweight championship, he had won the National Boxing Association title by defeating Walcott on June 22, 1949. In attempts to regain the world championship, he lost to Walcott in 1952 and twice to Rocky Marciano (Marciano, Rocky) in 1954. From 1940 to 1959 Charles fought 122 bouts, winning 96, of which 58 were by knockout. Ezzard was inducted into Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame in 1970.
* * *
Universalium. 2010.