Athletes - Ezzard Charles

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	Athletes - Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 - May 27, 1975) was a professional boxer and former Heavyweight Champion of the world. He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, but is commonly thought of as from Cincinnati, Ohio. Charles, known as "The Cincinnati Razor," is best remembered for his wins as a heavyweight, but most experts feel he was in his prime as a light heavyweight. Many consider him the greatest light heavyweight of all time.

Charles turned professional in 1940. He served in the US military during World War II, which prevented him from fighting in 1944 and 1945. He returned to boxing after the War, and hit his prime. He defeated the great light-heavyweight Archie Moore three times, once by knock out. Shortly after his knock out of Moore, 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.

Unable to get a title shot at light heavyweight, Charles moved up to heavyweight. In 1949, Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association world heavyweight title when he outpointed Jersey Joe Walcott over 15 rounds. The following year, he outpointed his idol and former world heavyweight champion Joe Louis to become the undisputed champion.

In 1951, Charles lost the title when Walcott knocked him out with a left hook in the seventh round. Charles and Walcott fought four times, with each winning twice.

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 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. He retired with a record of 96-25-1 (58 KOs).

Ezzard Charles died in Chicago, Illinois from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1975 and was interred in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

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

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Athletes - Ezzard Charles

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