Other than his coaches and trainers, Ezz had family and friends who helped him stay focused. In the second fight, Marciano knocked out the former champ in eight rounds, securing his seat atop the heavyweight division. To boxing fans, he was known as The Cincinnati Cobra, a well known fighter because he would become the cities only Heavyweight Boxing Champion. Victories over future Hall of Famers Teddy Yarosz and the much avoided Charley Burley had started to solidify Charles as a top contender in the middleweight division. From poor beginnings in the Jim Crow South to the top of the boxing world and beyond, Ezz overcame adversity throughout his life leaving a legacy of honor, dignity, respect, and generosity that still thrives to this day. Successful defenses against Walcott, Lee Oma and Joey Maxim followed. It wasnt Ezzards fault. The family didnt own a Bible in which to record the birth dates of each of their kids, which was the custom in those parts, so they kept a record by making notches on the trunk of an oak tree that sat on their property. Charles retired from boxing in the late 1950s. The strengths of this sign are being loyal, emotional, sympathetic, tenacious, persuasive, while weaknesses can be moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative and insecure. His association with Blackburn ended abruptly when the trainer received an offer from a couple of gamblers to come to Chicago to train an amateur champion named Joe Louis . Baroudi died of the injuries he sustained in this bout. 6318 Ezzard Charles Ln, Houston, TX 77091 | realtor.com A year after his debut, still just a teenager, Charles fights Ken Overlin, a veteran ranked by The Ring as the worlds second best middleweight. The initials "G.I." Well, that would be a hell of a notch in his belt, But it was Overlin who got the notch: Everything that Charles had going for him his youth, his strength, his speed, his hunger wasnt enough to overcome what Overlin had, which was experience Overlin took his time, letting Charles make all the mistakes young fighters make, letting him burn out so that by the end he was wobbling all over the ring. He held the title from 1949 to 1951, successfully defending it in 1950 against Joe Louis. When he was a child, his family moved to Cincinnati, where he became interested in boxing. In the early 1980s, Walcott was appointed chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. Marciano's cornermen were unable to stop the bleeding and the referee almost halted the contest until Marciano rallied with an eighth-round knockout. This page is updated often with new details about Ezzard Charles. Going pro, Ezz defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes, retiring with a record of 95 wins, 25 losses, and 1 draw. Charles was knocked down early in the fight but was able to come back and win it by decision. What are you most proud about accomplishing? After retiring to his hometown, Cincinnati, he announced two years later that he was penniless. I would like him to have it. Five-time middleweight champion of the world, Sugar Ray Robinson is remembered as the greatest boxer ever, Ezpeleta y Galdeano Dicastillo y del Prado, Jos Manuel de (17421823), https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/walcott-jersey-joe, https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/charles-ezzard, Born in Merchantville, New Jersey, on January 31, Quits school to help support family after father dies, Works in Camden, New Jersey, shipyard, fighting rarely, Embarks on comeback trail under guidance of promoter Felix Bocchicchio, Dies in Camden, New Jersey, on February 25, Won first professional fight, knocking out Cowboy Wallace on September 9, Won fights against top 10 contenders Joe Baski, Lee Murray, Curtis Sheppard, Won fights against Jimmy Bivins and Lee Oma but lost to Joey Maxim and Elmer Ray, Won heavyweight title against Ezzard Charles, July 18, Edward J. Neil Trophy for Fighter of the Year, Successfully defends title against Charles on June 5, Inducted into International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1968, Ezz was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). My father would say, come up here, sit in the front. I tried to make a way for our young people." Just a simple, square sort of fellow, who believed in playing the game by the rules, Charles said in selfdescription some years ago. Rocky Marciano in particular called Charles the bravest man he ever fought. I learned much about Uncle Mike Jacobs, Louis chief powerbroker, as well as figures from the National Boxing Association and International Boxing Commission, organisations which ruled the boxing roost at that time. While you get to know Ezz, try your hand at a Cincinnati Cobra Challenge, twelve tasks that connect Ezzs journey to your life. Groundbreaking Set For Ezzard Charles Statue In West End Charles died on May 28, 1975, at the age of fifty-three. $359,900 Last Sold Price. Donnell was an avid music collector. And if Charles managed to pull out a win? Notable Sports Figures. Marciano won a unanimous decision. But if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing., See the article in its original context from. The world middleweight c, Tunney, Gene The following year, on June 25, Louis and Walcott met once again, although this time Louis was clearly the dominant force, knocking out Walcott in the 11th round. Obituary. He coasted through the final four rounds and lost the chance to become the first man to regain the heavyweight championship. Prominent boxing promoter Mike ("Uncle Mike") Jacobs in late 1947 set up what was supposed to be a ten-round charity exhibition match between World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis and Walcott. He decided to borrow the name of his father's favorite boxer from the islands, Joe Walcott, a former welterweight champion who was also known as the "Barbados Demon." But Walcott bounced back in 1947, beating Maxim in January, Ray in April, and Maxim again in June. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/walcott-jersey-joe. Post World War. We will continue to update information on Ezzard Charless parents. The political finagling to arrange title shots in those days is similarly well sketched, and if you think Don King was reptilian, reading the sections which cover the immediate aftermath of Joe Louis championship reign is truly eye-opening. Walcott eagerly headed for the Louis training camp, but on his very first day on the job, he dropped Louis with a left hook, abruptly ending his stint as sparring partner. Ezzard Charles was a Cancer and was born in the G.I. ." . He was just a skinny kid and nothing particularly remarkable as a boxer in those early years, but he stayed with it and began fighting on the club circuit of southern New Jersey and nearby Philadelphia. [13], In 2009, Boxing magazine listed Ezzard Charles as the greatest Light Heavyweight fighter ever, ahead of the likes of Archie Moore, Bob Foster, Michael Spinks and Gene Tunney.[14]. Charles was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, in 1966. Hall of Fame boxing champion who fought frequently in the heavyweight division and earned titles in all three different weight divisions. Walcott took the match in a ten-round decision. In 2002, Charles was ranked No. In 1938, he won the Diamond Belt Middleweight Championship. To do so, he would have to topple the new champ, Rocky Marciano, who had KOd all of his challengers. His grandmother raised him to be an honest, good-hearted man. Mee, Bob. 845 Ezzard Charles Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45203 | Trulia Charles was a student of the sweet science Growing Up Born Ezzard Mack Charles in July 7 1921, into a life of poverty in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the Charles family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, which would later earn him his nickname 'The Cincinnati Cobra'. When preparing for a boxing match, Ezz focused on speed and stamina. This streak of success is all the more surprising in light of Charles tragic win over 20-year-old Sam Baroudi in 1948, following which Baroudi died after suffering a harrowing beating at Ezzards hands. In a rematch with Marciano on May 15, 1953, Walcott was knocked out in the first round. Jefferies, Eddie. Find your friends on Facebook. In 1966 he was stricken with a muscle-debilitating disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and was confined to a wheelchair. He also loses, to slick and crafty Kid Tunero, and to Jimmy Bivins and Lloyd Marshall, the latter two defeats later avenged. What are five healthy habits you can do every day? Ezzard Charles . Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. Newsmakers Interview with Ezzard Charles Jr., WKRC Channel 12, Cincinnati, August 17, 2008, Newsmakers interview with Ezzard Charles Jr., WKRC Channel 12 Cincinnati, August 17, 2008, "On This Day: Ezzard Charles, one of the greatest fighters of all-time, was born", "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees", The Champ: County to honor legendary boxer Charles today, "1970's Muscular Dystrophy Commercial with Ezzard Charles", "Ezzard Charles, boxing's 'Quiet Tiger,' dies at 53", "IBRO'S 25 Greatest Fighters of All Time", "The Greatest Light Heavyweights of All Time", NBA World Heavyweight Title Fights - BoxRec, NYSAC World Heavyweight Title Fights - BoxRec, Cincinnati History Library and Archives -- Ezzard Charles, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ezzard_Charles&oldid=1137572597, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers, Sportspeople from the Atlanta metropolitan area, Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio) alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 09:59. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/charles-ezzard. Charles died on May 28, 1975. Detroit: Gale Group, 1998. [7] Charles also starred in one motion picture: Mau Mau Drums, an independent (and unreleased) jungle-adventure film shot in and around Cincinnati in 1960 by filmmaker Earl Schwieterman. Sadly, his tenure in the latter position was marred by charges that he had taken bribes. Walcott lost a 15-round decision to Charles and promptly announced his retirement. His ascending career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army, but after Joe Louis announced his retirement as undefeated world heavyweight champion in 1949, a title match was set up between Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott. Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. In 1939, he won the Chicago Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions as well as the national AAU Middleweight Championship. (February 23, 2023). Ezzard Charles (Ezz) devoted his life to his faith and family, always giving back to the West End community that helped to shape him into a man. Ezzard Charles 1954-1998 - Ancestry Perhaps it is this experience which convinces Ezzard to resume his boxing career after service concludes, service which includes a stint with a truck battalion in Oran, North Africa, and sees Charles promoted to corporal before being busted back to private. SOLD JUN 13, 2022. William Dettloff, biographer and author, Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life, go Vibrant, creator of the largest network of urban walking routes in the country, Brian Powers, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, Cincinnati ParksFoundation Three years later, on June 17, 1954, he lost a grueling fifteen-round decision to Rocky Marciano, and in a rematch later that year Marciano knocked him out in the eighth round. Before a sold-out crowd of 18,000, Walcott suckered Louis with a right-hand lead and then dropped him with a left hook in the very first round. . ." The Cincinnati Cobra Badges transport you to stories where youll learn about Ezzs talents, accomplishments, and his lasting legacy in the Queen City. So, at 9 years old Ezzard moved to Cincinnati, One day a boxer came by in a nice car and wearing a nice suit. He won over boxers like Jimmy Bivins, Teddy Randolph, Joe Kahut, Archie Moore and Lloyd Marshal in the light heavyweight divisions. Long after most boxers would have abandoned all hope, Walcott battled on. "Jersey Joe Walcott: 1914-1994." The baby from Family (1) Spouse Gladys Gartrell (1949 - 27 May 1975) (his death) (3 children) Trivia (14) Defeated Joe Louis on September 27, 1950 to become the undisputed heavyweight . With a perfect, Moore, Archie Again, Bocchicchio persuaded him to continue boxing. In 2018, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation (CPF) took on the effort of raising the funds for the new Ezzard Charles statue in Laurel Parka park located along the street named for him, where he would once run his training routes. Who was Ezzard Charles, the Cincinnati Cobra? - The Enquirer Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Music was a deep passion for Ezz, especially jazz, which was wildly popular at the time. Any devotee of The Sweet Science should add this volume to their Required Reading list, without delay. 6318 Ezzard Charles Ln, Houston, TX 77091 | MLS# 37286952 - Redfin While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He depended on his boxing skills and ability to score points rather than delivering one powerful knockout punch and thus was criticized by some for lacking a harsh fighting instinct. After knocking out Joe Baksi and Johnny Haynes, Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association Heavyweight title when he outpointed Jersey Joe Walcott over 15 rounds on June 22, 1949. Walcott successfully defended his title, winning a fifteen-round decision over Charles. Ezzard Charles Biography - American boxer | Pantheon He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. Surviving are his widow, Gladys, and three children, Ezzard 2d, Deborah and Leith. 1923-1969 Once more details are available, we will update this section. Go ringside for a look at Ezzard Charles (Ezz) legendary boxing career and what it takes to be one of the greatest fighters ever. Some of the community organizations that he advocated for continue to provide services throughout Cincinnati and have since enshrined Ezzard Charles in their history. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Montreal is The Fight City. http://www.ibhof.com/walcott.htm (October 25, 2002). During Ezzs rise, he was forced to fight in a heavier weight class and was frequently out-weighed by up to 30 pounds. It is to Dettloffs credit that Charles upbringing is framed in the proper historical context: The year Charles was born, there were sixty-three documented lynchings of blacks in the United States. Judge Artie Aidala scored the fight 9-5-1 while judge Harold Barnes' tally was 8-6-1. Full-body sculpture of Ezzard Charles revealed to family Ezz maintained a strict regimen of mental discipline, clean living, and daily exercise, working out at a local gym or putting in road work throughout the city. Gods of War: Ezzard Charles - Bloody Elbow But Ezz kept fighting with his eye on being the first boxer of his time to regain the heavyweight title. Four times during that period, he squared off against one of the ten top-ranked fightersAl Ettore in 1936, Tiger Jack Fox in 1937 and 1938, and Abe Simon in 1940in his weight class, only to lose every match. After retiring in 1956, he made brief comeback attempts in 1958 and 1959, losing to a compendium of alsorans. The quick knockout was never his objective. Just over three months later, however, Rocky Marciano knocked out Walcott in the 13th round to take the heavyweight title. Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life. If Ezzard Charles hadnt left Lawrenceville by 1930 his life simply would not have been anywhere comparable, he would not have an honorary monument under a shade tree in the Lawrenceville Historic Courthouse Square, He would not be in the Gwinnett County Sports Hall of Fame at Coolray Stadium. Perhaps sensing that he was comfortably ahead on points, Walcott took it easy on Louis in the final rounds of the fight. Generation. Follow Ezz and see if you can find all the Badges on the Cincinnati Cobra Routes. Charles also winds up boxing for the Army in inter-allied tournaments throughout Europe, enjoying predictable success. JUMP TO: Ezzard Charless biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. or. Nobody gave any credit to Ezzard, he said. After a brilliant amateur boxing career, Charles turned pro in 1940 and went on to win twenty consecutive fights in the first eighteen months of the decade. Ezzard was inducted into Ring magazines Boxing Hall of Fame in 1970. Click the image below to listen to Ezz-thetics. He was the only heavyweight champion, other than a young Sonny Liston, who I think would have really troubled me at my best. Notable Sports Figures. Doctor W.P. Although heavyweight was mostly a happy hunting ground for the preternaturally gifted Charles, he was an unpopular figure among fans who remained loyal to the great Joe Louis. Outside of the ring, Ezzard also had owned several night clubs, played bass with the eras top jazz performers, even sitting in for a session one night with the legendary Duke Ellington. Transplanted to Cincinnati from his native Georgia at age 9, Charles started boxing early, going professional in 1940 and graduating from Cincinnati's Woodward High School two years later. 23 Feb. 2023
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