In the following years he fights and beats a succession of formidable middleweights and light heavyweights, champions and ex-titlists, including Teddy Yarosz, Anton Cristofiridis, Charley Burley, Booker Beckwith, Mose Brown and Joey Maxim. The economic boom and the Jazz Age were over, and America began the period called the Great Depression. Nevertheless, boxing fans, as well as Louis, were all convinced Walcott had cinched the fight. Shower and massage. He retired with a record of 93-25-1 (52 KOs). The "Cincinnati Cobra" was a master boxer of extraordinary skill and ability. Jim Crowe laws not only threatened the lives of the black community, but ALL opportunities. "Jersey Joe Walcott." Charles dominated the first four rounds but in typical Rocky fashion, Marciano eventually got going and dominated most of the rest of the brutal battle. JUMP TO: Ezzard Charless biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. He went on to win the Boxing Heavyweight Title and carried it from 1949 to 1951. Ezzard Charles, Cincinnati's World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Rust, Art, Jr., and Edna Rust. He turned professional in 1940, knocking out Melody Johnson in the fourth round. This is what people never understood about fighters, even the very young ones: that a quiet young kid with nice manners who ran from fights in the street could, in the right circumstance, swallow all his fear and shame and stand up for himself like he mattered.. Odds makers gave Walcott little chance against the Brown Bomber. Where did the baby name Ezzard come from in 1949? Full-body sculpture of Ezzard Charles revealed to family Ezzard was inducted into Ring magazines Boxing Hall of Fame in 1970. Ezzard Mack Charles was born July 7, 1921 in Georgia, but his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio while he was still young. Of Elmer Ray, the author writes: He was born into a family of six girls and three boys to a potato-and-cabbage farmer near Hastings, Florida. "Enshrinees: Jersey Joe Walcott." Whos the richest Boxer in the world? Discover what happened on this day. 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. When I was a little boy wed take the bus to the shopping plaza at 35th (Chicago) and Id always run to the back of the bus. When I first decided to get into boxing, Id listen to all of the older guys in the game. 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. Later that year he experienced something of a setback, losing to Joey Maxim and Elmer Ray in back-to-back bouts. The Moon represents one's nurturing and emotional instinct. Semifinals 147-Pound class: Defeated Ray McDonald Times-Star A.C. by decision. After retiring from the ring, Walcott remained active in boxing as a referee and later became chairman of the New Jersey State Boxing Commission. Because of this, Ezz excelled at boxing while also graduating Woodward High Schoola rare feat for a professional boxer. When preparing for a boxing match, Ezz focused on speed and stamina. In 1950 Walcott won his first four matches of the year, only to lose to Rex Layne on November 24. 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. Although acknowledgedand often grudingly praisedas one of the finest boxers ever to hold the heavyweight. - 27 May 1975) ( his death) ( 3 children) Ezzard Charles Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 6318 Ezzard Charles Ln, Houston, TX 77091 | realtor.com A metropolis where hundreds of young warriors train and battle each day in its many gyms, it is where Archie Moore, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Bernard Hopkins all found greatness. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. Charles was knocked down early in the fight but was able to come back and win it by decision. Archie Moore was one of the most colorful and respected figures in the modern history of boxing. He was born Raymond Arnold Cream in Merchantville, New Jersey, on January 31, 1914. Generation. The research which has clearly gone into this work is enjoyably evident, as when Dettloff informs us that young Ezzards zen for the sporting life was ignited after he encountered the great Kid Chocolate, in town to face Cleveland-based journeyman Johnny Farr: We learn about Ezzards idolizing of Joe Louis, and his amateur success in Ohio under the tutelage of diminutive Welshman and World War I veteran Bert Williams, who nurtures his aggressive, fast-handed, fearless style, and plenty more besides. He was . Ezzard Charles | Encyclopedia.com Ezzard Charles Biography, Life, Interesting Facts Jefferies, Eddie. Follow Ezz and see if you can find all the Badges on the Cincinnati Cobra Routes. Surviving are his widow, Gladys, and three children, Ezzard 2d, Deborah and Leith. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. (February 23, 2023). Ezzard Charles grew stronger and sharper after the world war and continued with his winning spree. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. Davis, Samuel. Like many boxers, financial problems forced Charles to continue fighting, losing 13 of his final 23 fights. Charles possessed a masterful jab and was a superb combination puncher. Walcott successfully defended his title, winning a fifteen-round decision over Charles. Ezzard Charles School is a Educational Organization headquartered in Chicago, IL. Charles fought a young contender named Sam Baroudi, knocking him out in Round 10. We encourage you to research and examine these records to . (February 23, 2023). 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 . [4] Known as "The Cincinnati Cobra", Charles fought many notable opponents in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions, eventually winning the World Championship in the latter. Every day, Ezz and team would wake at 5:30 am for a 5-mile run. If Charles had won this fight, he would have become the first man in history to regain the heavyweight championship. Ezzard delivers a baby. He held the title from 1949 to 1951, successfully defending it in 1950 against Joe Louis. So, at 9 years old Ezzard moved to Cincinnati, One day a boxer came by in a nice car and wearing a nice suit. Ezzard Charles - Biography - IMDb The strengths of this sign are being loyal, emotional, sympathetic, tenacious, persuasive, while weaknesses can be moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative and insecure. Hello. Ciao. How do you greet people in other languages? He won the national AAU Middleweight Championship in 1939. Ezzard Charles in Ezzard Charles Park - Cincinnati Parks Foundation A fund raiser was held to assist Charles and many of his former opponents spoke on his behalf. The lack of communication/feedback with parents and zero follow up & follow through from administrative staff is truly mind blowing. Rocky Marciano is the only heavyweight boxing champion ever to retire without being defeated. Spectators were incredulous, applauding wildly for the plucky Walcott. 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 unable to secure a title shot at light heavyweight and moved up to heavyweight. He had speed, agility, fast hands and excellent footwork. It also earned them acclaim as the toughest men of their eras. http://www.njboxinghof.org/cgi-bin/henryseehof.pl?286 (October 25, 2002). Judge Artie Aidala scored the fight 9-5-1 while judge Harold Barnes' tally was 8-6-1. Bocchicchio offered to manage Walcott, who at first refused, saying, "Fighting never got me nothin' before, and all I want now is a steady job, so my wife and kids can eat regular. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. The following year, Charles failed in an attempt to recapture the title from Walcott, who lost it barely three months later to Rocky Marciano. The first fight saw Ezz lose but take Marciano all 15 rounds, which no other boxer had done before. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes: Ezz was a boxing champ and beloved father. Square that I was, I believed every word. Walcott took the match in a ten-round decision. New York Times, May 29, 1975, p. 38. Donnell Blaylock Obituary (2023) - Muskegon Heights, MI - Grand Rapids "Jersey Joe Walcott: 1914-1994." 1,745 Sq. Ezzard Charles, 53, Dies; Held Heavyweight Title The deafening applause was proof that in the minds of the spectators anyway Walcott had succeeded. During the course of his time on the commission, charges surfaced that Walcott had accepted bribes from undercover agents. He later had a brief stint as a boxing referee, officiating at the second match between Cassius Clay (before changing his name to Muhammad Ali ) and Sonny Liston . Ezzard Charles Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family As we know, this early setback does little to deter the gifted Ezzard Charles, and his evolution as a boxer is well documented as he carves out a reputation as one of the best young prospects in America. 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. In fact, Charles felt so indebted to the Elkus family that even after he was making a lot of noise a pro, hed go back to the store when they were busy over the holidays and get behind the counter., Following successive defeats to Bivins and Marshall in early 43, Uncle Sam comes calling and Dettloff gives us the details regarding Ezzards enlistment and basic training in Texas, and how he refuses to use his meager celebrity as a top-rated prizefighter to get special treatment while in the military.. Charles lost his heavyweight title on July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Joe Walcott in the seventh round of their third fight. Young Walcott quit school and began looking for any kind of work he could find to help. Detroit: Gale Group, 1998. Just a simple, square sort of fellow, who believed in playing the game by the rules, Charles said in selfdescription some years ago. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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'. Boxer Ezzard Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The quick knockout was never his objective. He was widely criticized for his handling of the match. CHICAGO, May 23 (UPI)Ezzard Charles, the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1949 until 1951, died today at the Veterans Administration Hospital here. . In the predominantly Black neighborhood of the West End, a hub of successful businesses and budding community, Ezz had a solid foundation to make his way up in the world. 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. Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life by William Dettloff - Goodreads Walcott won a match in Sweden against Ollie Tandberg and once again hinted at retirement. He was 53 years old. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. American boxer ." Research genealogy for Charles Ezzard of Brampton, Hampshire, England, as well as other members of the Ezzard family, on Ancestry. All of it was made possible with the $275,000 raised by Cincinnati parks, donors, and residents in the West End . He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990. info@cincinnatiparksfoundation.org However, he served in the U.S. military during World War II and was unable to fight professionally in 1945. He had simply come along at a time when a bloodhungry public couldnt appreciate him. For more than four decades, he held the distinction of being the oldest boxer to win the heavyweight title, until 45-year-old George Foreman won the crown in 1994. Dictionary of American Biography: Supplement 9: 1971-1975. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1985. Greatness is often overlooked in its own time. There was even a record made about Ezz! In 2006, Ezzard Charles was named the 11th greatest fighter of all time by the IBRO (International Boxing Research Organisation).[11]. Despite being a natural light-heavy he won the heavyweight title and made 9 successful title defenses. Amerman, Don "Walcott, Jersey Joe By the early 1940s, Walcott was working in the Camden shipyards, and his boxing career seemed all but over. Encyclopedia.com. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. When he was a child, his family moved to Cincinnati, where he became interested in boxing. ." "Ezzard Mark Charles." Thanks to the authors unfailing commitment to detail, the reader is left in no doubt about just how special this kid was in his prime. For more programs and events to enjoy, go tocincinnatiparksfoundation.org. Contact Us - CATSober | Center for Addiction Treatment Incidentally, these opponents Ray, Bivins, Burley et al are not glossed over but given a proper backstory, Dettloff making them come alive on the page and increasing our appreciation for Charles achievement in vanquishing them. http://www.cyberenet.net/~kelta/jerseyjoe.html (October 25, 2002). SOLD JUN 15, 2022. 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. As an amateur boxer in the featherweight divisions, he had a perfect 42-0 record, and started his pro career defeating the future Hall of Famer Archie Moore . Just after his second defeat by Marciano, Walcott announced his retirement from boxing. So he is thought of as from Cincinnati. Marvelous Marvin Hagler was a hard-hitting lefty who could switch his stance and also box right-handed. The 92nd Division was stationed in North Africa and Italy, where Ezz learned to speak Italian. Who are the richest people in the world? Between 1943 and 1951, a truly stacked era, Charles loses just once, an unpopular split decision to veteran heavyweight and lethal puncher Elmer Ray, a defeat which he avenges by knockout a year later. http://www.gamemasteronline.com/Archive/SweetScience/JerseyJoeWalcott.shtml (October 26, 2002). To honor Ezzs legacy, CPF leveraged the statue project into a vibrant revitalization of the entire Laurel Park as a gift to Ezzs family and to the residents of the West End. Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 May 28, 1975), known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. Hall of Fame boxing champion who fought frequently in the heavyweight division and earned titles in all three different weight divisions. From 1940 to 1959 he fought in 122 bouts, winning 96 of them. Charles died on May 28, 1975, at the age of fifty-three. Born in Georgia, he was a musician and loved jazz, bringing records home from his travels abroad. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ezzard-Charles, Cincinnati Historical Society Library - Biography of Ezzard Charles. He died in 1973. Muhammad Ali said in his own autobiography: "Ezzard Charles was a truly great fighter and champion. They met twice. He always wanted to sit in the front. When is Ezzard Charless birthday? Not because he saw a successful boxer, but think of the impact of seeing a successful black man, with more than the white people in south ever owned riding around like a king.