Ezzard Charles
Boxing · Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
- Pro team(s)
- Professional Boxing
- Hall of Fame
- ⭐ International Boxing Hall of Fame
Ezzard Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he developed into a technically brilliant boxer who became World Heavyweight Champion. After Joe Louis's retirement in 1948, Charles defeated Jersey Joe Walcott in 1949 to claim the heavyweight title and went on to defend it eight times. He later lost the title to Walcott in 1951 but remained a force in the heavyweight division, challenging Rocky Marciano twice (losing both times, though keeping the second bout competitive). Charles compiled a 93-25-1 record and is widely regarded as one of the most skilled heavyweights in the history of the division — a master technician who could box or slug with equal effectiveness. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.