It all adds up to a fascinating boxing biography, one of the most exhaustively researched Ive come across. By William Dettloff. See Photos. [8] Charles died on May 28, 1975, in Chicago. 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. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. 2021 Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Ezzard Charles going for the win against Bob Satterfield, Follow in Ezzs footsteps with wayfinding. It stands tall beside the Ezzard Charles monument, the only permanent, visible evidence the boxer ever lived in . Recently sold: 6622 Ezzard Charles Lane, TX 77091 0.11 Acres Lot 1,544 SQFT 3 Beds 2 Full Baths Single-Family View more details Surviving are his widow, Gladys, and three children, Ezzard 2d, Deborah and Leith. Philadelphia Tribune (March 4, 1994). CHICAGO, May 23 (UPI)Ezzard Charles, the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1949 until 1951, died today at the Veterans Administration Hospital here. He fought only five matches from 1940 through 1944, one of which was his loss to Simon. 23 Feb. 2023
. A dresser to the nines, he had impeccable style and was a talented tailor. Kelta's Kavern. I'm over 30 and just plain tired of it all.". His legacy of goodwill still thrives throughout the West End and Cincinnati to this day. My mother delivered the boy perhaps in the 1950s or 1960s. 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 . See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History, Walcott, Jersey Joe 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.. In 1966 he was stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease that before long confined him to a wheelchair. Name three heroes in your life. [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]. [9] He was buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. He would try his punches on the homemade boxing bag. I did my best. 421 Oak Street, Cincinnati OH 4521, 513-861-0023 Judge Artie Aidala scored the fight 9-5-1 while judge Harold Barnes' tally was 8-6-1. You can give back to Cincinnati by picking up any litter you see in the Parks or on your block. Doctor W.P. He was born Ezzard Mack Charles on July 7, 1921, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. www.mcfarlandpub.com. The lack of communication/feedback with parents and zero follow up & follow through from administrative staff is truly mind blowing. This was the street of his residence during the height of his career.[10]. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. In 1966 he was stricken with a muscle-debilitating disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and was confined to a wheelchair. Known for his slick defense and precision, he is often considered the greatest light heavyweight boxer of all time. 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. 3 beds, 2 baths, 1363 sq. It also earned them acclaim as the toughest men of their eras. Then it was in the ring for sparring. A year later,. People named Ezzard Charles. The initials "G.I." Greatness is often overlooked in its own time. . A hardscrabble life awaits: his father William departs when he is just five, not to be seen again for two decades, and after this the future heavyweight king is raised mostly by his wizened grand- and great-grandmothers in Cincinnatis tough West End, in a rundown, three-room frame house supported by bricks at the corners.. 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. He helped shape the Cincinnati Music Scene, as he would buy jazz records from around the world and bring them back home to share with local musicians and artists. http://www.gamemasteronline.com/Archive/SweetScience/JerseyJoeWalcott.shtml (October 26, 2002). Charles was sixfeet tall and usually weighed in the 180's. Ezz had lots of people in his corner: Do something kind for a friend or someone in your family. Jefferies, Eddie. So, how much is Ezzard Charles worth at the age of 54 years old? To become the undisputed champ, Ezz a 2:1 underdog and smaller fighter defeated his childhood idol and American boxing icon, Joe Louis, on September 27, 1950. 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. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). They'd all say the same thing: if you want to be a fighter, you've got to eat it and sleep it. Ezzard Mack Charles (Ezz) was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia on July 7, 1921. Ezzard Charles is part of G.I. Charles retired with a record of 95 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw. Family Life He had three children. With Louis being so popular, many fans and boxing writers were not happy with the outcome. Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life. However, if pressed I could not tell you much more than this: that Charles famously beat Joe Louis during the latters ill-advised comeback and that he is touted by many knowledgeable scholars of the game as, pound-for-pound, one of the greatest pugilists in boxing history. Once more details are available, we will update this section. Anything was now available to Ezzard, anything was possible. It is a city of fights and fighters, of hockey and heroes, of broken dreams and immortal glory, a city unlike any other. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. 1921-1989 I have a bracelet given to a boy, last name Charles when he was born in Cincinnati. Ft. 5829 Francis Oak Pl, Houston, TX 77091. Ezzard Charles Birth Name: Ezzard Charles Occupation: Boxer Place Of Birth: Lawrenceville Date Of Birth: July 7, 1921 Date Of Death: May 27, 1975 Cause Of Death: N/A Ethnicity: Black Nationality: American Ezzard Charles was born on the 7th of July, 1921. Every day, Ezz and team would wake at 5:30 am for a 5-mile run. However, boxing failed to provide a dependable source of income. He had simply come along at a time when a bloodhungry public couldnt appreciate him. "Ezzard Mark Charles." He won his next five matches before losing, on November 16, 1933, in a rematch with Henry Taylor in Philadelphia. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. He was an avid reader and learned to speak Italian while serving during World War II. - 27 May 1975) ( his death) ( 3 children) Ezzard Charles Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. It was reportedly the only time Ezzard touched the canvas during his entire amateur career. Ezzard Charles Height, Weight & Measurements At 54 years old, Ezzard Charles height is 6' (1.83 m) . Encyclopedia.com. 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. He was the only heavyweight champion, other than a young Sonny Liston, who I think would have really troubled me at my best. Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Brancaccio Theater, Esquilino, Rome, Italy. Boxer Jersey Joe Walcott was born Arnold Raymond Cream and raised in Merchantville, near Camden, New Jersey, one of twelve childr, Marciano, Rocky I'd win a fightand the very next day, I'd be back in the gym.. 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. Salzman, Linda "Charles, Ezzard Despite this stain on his reputation, Walcott will forever stand as an inspiration to dreamers everywhere that perseverance can pay off. When he was in Cincinnati he developed love for the game of boxing. When I first decided to get into boxing, Id listen to all of the older guys in the game. Dettloff, a former senior writer at The Ring and now editor-in-chief of the e-magazine Ringside Seat, writes with clarity and authority about the greatCincinnati Cobra, beginning with his early years in Lawrenceville, Georgia. 3 Beds. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). To personalize his new name, he added "Jersey," to signify the state of his birth. Discharged in January 1946, the career of The Cincinnati Cobra then motors on in high gear and reading about his bouts with the legendary Archie Moore in particular is a great pleasure. Ezzard was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States. Ezzard Charles, in full Ezzard Mack Charles, (born July 7, 1921, Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.died May 28, 1975, Chicago, Illinois), American world heavyweight boxing champion from September 27, 1950, when he outpointed Joe Louis in 15 rounds in New York City, to July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Jersey Joe Walcott in 7 rounds in , Rocky MarcianoHeavyweight Champ 1952-195649 Wins 0 Losses. By the early 1940s, Walcott was working in the Camden shipyards, and his boxing career seemed all but over. LAUREL PARK FAMILY FUN DAYS 500 Ezzard Charles Dr., Cincinnati March 5 | 3:30-6pm April 2 | 1:30-4pm May 21 | 3:30-6pm June 24 | With live music 5-7:30pm July 16 | With the CSO (TBD) August 13 | With live music 5-7:30pm September 3 | 5-7:30pm Offered in partnership with Cincinnati Parks and 7 Hills Neighborhood Houses MLK PARK FAMILY FUN DAYS info@cincinnatiparksfoundation.org Although acknowledgedand often grudingly praisedas one of the finest boxers ever to hold the heavyweight title, Ezzard Mack Charles somehow was never able to capture in addition the glamour and unrestrained idolatry that often accompany boxing's most coveted goal. Just after his second defeat by Marciano, Walcott announced his retirement from boxing. However, he served in the U.S. military during World War II and was unable to fight professionally in 1945. Sign Up. Referee Ruby Goldstein scored the bout 8-5-2 in rounds for the champion. The baby from honeysuckle circle, in downtown Lawrenceville was named after the Doctor who delivered him. The following year, he outpointed his idol and former World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis to become the recognized Lineal Champion. Ezzard made the most of it, becoming the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and an inspiration to Gwinnett County. The Cincinnati Cobra Badges transport you to stories where youll learn about Ezzs talents, accomplishments, and his lasting legacy in the Queen City. Like the heavyweight title belt that Ezzard Charles (Ezz) proudly wore, the Cincinnati Cobra Badges represent various virtues and facets of our beloved hero. ." 1897-1978 He died in 1973. Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Baroudi died of injuries sustained in the fight. Updates? 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. In 1938, he won the Diamond Belt Middleweight Championship. He followed this up in 1939 by winning the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament of champions. Ezzard Charles was born in 1920s. Notable Sports Figures. Amerman, Don "Walcott, Jersey Joe 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. He turned professional in 1940, knocking out Melody Johnson in the fourth round. Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 May 28, 1975), known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. Ezzard Charles, in full Ezzard Mack Charles, (born July 7, 1921, Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.died May 28, 1975, Chicago, Illinois), American world heavyweight boxing champion from September 27, 1950, when he outpointed Joe Louis in 15 rounds in New York City, to July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Jersey Joe Walcott in 7 rounds in Pittsburgh. Please subscribe, share, and leave us a comment of review if you like the show! SOLD JUN 15, 2022. He was . In the early 1980s, Walcott was appointed chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. As per the report, Ezzard Charles lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States. Not long thereafter, he stopped in one day at Battling Mac's Gym in Camden, New Jersey, where he soon became a regular, sparring with some of the fighters who called the gym home. Over the next several years, Walcott fought in dozens of matches, winning most of them but losing occasionally. Ezzard Charles grew stronger and sharper after the world war and continued with his winning spree. In 1950 Walcott won his first four matches of the year, only to lose to Rex Layne on November 24. 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. He started boxing in his teen years, winning 42 amateur fights and the Amateur Athletic Union national middleweight title before he graduated from Woodward High School in 1942.. Charles continued boxing until he was called to serve . Get an inside beat on a day in the life of the Cincinnati Cobra, and how the importance of family drove him to greatness. Even after a big win, Ezz would go back to training as soon as he could. Log In. Often to the dismay of boxing fans looking for a lights-out finish, the Cobra would consistently chip away at his opponents and go for a win on points rather than a knockout. Through all the ups and downs in their life together, Gladys maintained the family finances while she and Ezz always put their children first. Ezzard Charles died at the age of 53 years. ." He had simply come along at time when a bloodhungry public couldn't appreciate him.. Ezz took pride in his neighborhood and actively gave time to his community. Encyclopedia.com. The disease affected Charles' legs and eventually left him completely disabled. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/charles-ezzard. Possibility. Ezz had a daily routine of exercising and eating right. Corrections? or. Walcott wasn't through. People born under this sign are honest, observant and hardworking. Anyone can read what you share. 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. While you get to know Ezz, try your hand at a Cincinnati Cobra Challenge, twelve tasks that connect Ezzs journey to your life. People who are born with Moon as the ruling planet are sensitive, nurturing, and usually have fluctuating moods. Marciano fought over half the fight with a huge gash over his eye that would require ten . The two faced off on June 22, 1949. Thank you. Some of the community organizations that he advocated for continue to provide services throughout Cincinnati and have since enshrined Ezzard Charles in their history. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Chinese Zodiac: Ezzard Charles was born in the Year of the Rabbit. [1] Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles was instead a cool ring tactician who was content to outpoint his opponents or to wear them down through a profusion of punches. 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. [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. He gave me two of the toughest fights of my life. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. 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. He had a 42-0 record, with two Golden Glove Titles before embarking on a pro career that was interrupted by his service in World War II from 1944 and 1945 where he learned to speak Spanish and Italian. Charles was unable to secure a title shot at light heavyweight and moved up to heavyweight. Named by The Ring magazine as the greatest light heavyweight of all time, Charles was frustrated in his attempts to get a shot at the 175-pound . Or, I couldnt have told you much more prior to reading William Dettloffs excellent biography of the man, Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life, the first publication of its kind, a shocking fact given Charles standing. The 1920s represented an era of change and growth. Ezzard Charles. Salzman, Linda "Charles, Ezzard In one of his last public appearances, Walcott traveled across the Delaware River to Philadelphia in 1992 to attend the first outdoor professional boxing show since the 1950s. In the second fight, Marciano knocked out the former champ in eight rounds, securing his seat atop the heavyweight division. They seldom rely on other people in daily life, which can make them impatient when dealing with others. A rematch three months, later, when Charles had not fully recovered from his previous battering, resulted in a eightround knockout by Marciano and an effective end to Charles's championship aspirations. (February 23, 2023). 2.5 Baths. 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 . Born in Georgia, he was a musician and loved jazz, bringing records home from his travels abroad. The former boxer spent his last days in a nursing home. 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 . With a perfect, Moore, Archie On July 18, 1951, he became, at the age of thirty-seven, the oldest boxer ever to become the heavyweight champ, knocking out Ezzard Charles in the seventh round to finally take the title he had so long pursued. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Walcott died at the age of 80 on February 25, 1994, in Camden, N.J. Omissions? He ended Louis's comeback in 1950 by winning a 15round decision, but found the triumph hollow. Ezzard Charles was not someone you would look at and think of as vicious fighting machine. Ezzard Mack Charles, was an incredibly intelligent child, but a deeply segregated Georgia was no place to raise any African-American child at the time. 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. What are five healthy habits you can do every day? Because of this, Ezz excelled at boxing while also graduating Woodward High Schoola rare feat for a professional boxer. 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. Long after most boxers would have abandoned all hope, Walcott battled on. He held the title from 1949 to 1951, successfully defending it in 1950 against Joe Louis. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/walcott-jersey-joe. American boxer Donnell was an avid music collector. Music was a deep passion for Ezz, especially jazz, which was wildly popular at the time. 45203. . 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. Ezzard Charles; A Boxing Life. Walcott continued to live in the Camden area after leaving boxing. Ezzards education details are not available at this time. He was also very mild mannered with a gentle air . He was best known for being a Boxer. 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.. Perhaps most endearing and dedicated of all was Gladys Gertrell, Ezzs wife and mother of their three children, Ezz II, Deborah, and Leith. Square that I was, I believed every word. Ezzard Charles. Encyclopedia.com. He continued to box when he could but was forced increasingly to work at low-paying jobs outside the ring to support his family.
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