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Ezzard-Charles
Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 – May 28, 1975) was a professional boxer and former Heavyweight Champion of the world.

He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, but is commonly thought of a Cincinnatian. Charles, known as "The Cincinnati Cobra," is best remembered for his wins as a heavyweight, but most experts feel he was in his prime as a light heavyweight. Although he never won the championship at that weight, Ring magazine has rated him as the greatest light heavyweight of all time.[1]

Charles turned professional in 1940. He served in the U.S. 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, and also defeated all time greats in Charley Burley and Joey Maxim. 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.

Charles was unable to get a title shot at light heavyweight, and decided to move 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, despite having beaten Walcott in a rematch, Charles fought Walcott again and lost the title when Walcott knocked him out with a left hook in the seventh round. Charles lost a decision in the fourth and final bout. If Charles had won this fight he would have become the first man in history to regain the heavyweight championship.

Later, Charles would go on to challenge Rocky Marciano twice for the Heavyweight title. His two stirring battles with Marciano are regarded as ring classics. In the first bout, held in June of 1954, he valiantly took Rocky the distance, going down on points in a vintage heavyweight bout. In their September rematch, Charles split Marciano's nose and almost won the fight by TKO. Marciano, however, rallied to KO Charles in the 8th round, in a bout that was named "Fight of the Year."

Financial problems forced Charles to fight long after he should have retired. At that point, 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 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, aged 53, in 1975 and was interred in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.

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