JUMP TO: Ezzard Charless biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. 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. Known for his slick defense and precision, he is often considered the greatest light heavyweight boxer of all time. Walcott died at the age of 80 on February 25, 1994, in Camden, N.J. From that point on Ezzard wanted to be a Boxer. Georgia, and raised there until the age of nine when his parents parted. Charles died on May 28, 1975, at the age of fifty-three. Young Walcott quit school and began looking for any kind of work he could find to help. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. 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. Discover what happened on this day. The family's visit started in an ideal setting, the old Lawrenceville Court House. The following year he beat top ten contender Jimmy Bivins, following which Bocchicchio lined up a fight for Walcott with another leading contender, Lee Oma, in Madison Square Garden. In the first bout, held in Yankee Stadium on June 17, 1954, he valiantly took Marciano the distance, going down on points in a vintage heavyweight bout. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1985. 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. 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 Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. 1,745 Sq. Almanac of Famous People, 6th edition. Thank you. We encourage you to research and examine these records to . Sign Up. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ezzard-Charles, Cincinnati Historical Society Library - Biography of Ezzard Charles. Amerman, Don "Walcott, Jersey Joe Just a simple, square sort of fellow, who believed in playing the game by the rules, Charles said in selfdescription some years ago. A chilling 1973 commercial showed Charles in his wheelchair horribly disabled by ALS. I have a bracelet given to a boy, last name Charles when he was born in Cincinnati. Media Contact. His wife is Gladys (? "Obituary: Jersey Joe Walcott." . He went on to win the Boxing Heavyweight Title and carried it from 1949 to 1951. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Charles retired from boxing in the late 1950s. It turned into a title match after the New York State Athletic Commission ruled that any match of more than six rounds with Louis had to be for the title. The year, 1921. is military terminology referring to "Government Issue" or "General Issue". ." When he was only thirteen years old, his father, an immigrant from Barbados, died. Encyclopedia.com. Charles was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, in 1966. Fight crowds, writes Dettloff, liked blood and guts and gory displays of violence. Louis had given them crushing knockouts and awesome displays of raw power; Charles was a pugilist of a different stripe. I'd win a fightand the very next day, I'd be back in the gym.. 421 Oak Street, Cincinnati OH 4521, 513-861-0023 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 Cincinnati's tough West End, in "a rundown, three-room frame house supported by bricks at the corners." However, boxing failed to provide a dependable source of income. Ezz would hit the heavy bag and jump rope. The disease affected Charles' legs and eventually left him completely disabled. Ezzard Charles's birth sign is Cancer. Nevertheless, a number of fans and boxing writers felt that Charles deserved the decision. Not that those two accomplishments, are even a speck of this heavyweight champs, list of accomplishments. After fighting the disease for nearly a decade and becoming an advocate for ALS awareness, Ezz died on May 28, 1975, in Chicago. http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news/Jersey-Joe-Walcott.php (October 26, 2002). Ezzard Charles died at the age of 53 years. www.mcfarlandpub.com. "No Champion Out of Ring." 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. The name Ezzard was among the 1,000 most popular U.S. baby names right around the time and only around the time Ezzard Charles was champ: 1953: 37 baby boys named Ezzard 1952: 54 baby boys named Ezzard [ranked 975th] You could often find Ezz at Cincinnatis Cotton Club, which at the time was one of the few integrated jazz clubs in the US. 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. He was best known for being a Boxer. A fund raiser was held to assist Charles and many of his former opponents spoke on his behalf. However, the date of retrieval is often important. They met twice. But the Queen City celebrated their first-ever heavyweight champion with fanfare and a parade. In the fourth round, Louis, confused by the "Walcott Shuffle," which involved shifting the feet around so that first the left and then the right were the lead, and pivoting the body to match, was dropped again by the challenger. Ezzard Mack Charles (Ezz) was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia on July 7, 1921. http://www.cyberenet.net/~kelta/jerseyjoe.html (October 25, 2002). The strengths of this sign are being loyal, emotional, sympathetic, tenacious, persuasive, while weaknesses can be moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative and insecure. . Zodiac Sign: Ezzard Charles was a Cancer. 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. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. 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. New York: Scribner, 1994. From 1940 to 1959 he fought in 122 bouts, winning 96 of them. Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 May 28, 1975), known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. ." Marvelous Marvin Hagler was a hard-hitting lefty who could switch his stance and also box right-handed. . This was the street of his residence during the height of his career.[10]. Charles was knocked down early in the fight but was able to come back and win it by decision. Even after a big win, Ezz would go back to training as soon as he could. Successful defenses against Walcott, Lee Oma and Joey Maxim followed. Ezz was proud of being Cincinnatis first heavyweight champ. Charles won all of his first 17 fights before being defeated by veteran Ken Overlin. What are five healthy habits you can do every day? Every day, Ezz and team would wake at 5:30 am for a 5-mile run. Follow Ezz and see if you can find all the Badges on the Cincinnati Cobra Routes. 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. Just after his second defeat by Marciano, Walcott announced his retirement from boxing. He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990. ft. house located at 6618 Ezzard Charles Ln, Houston, TX 77091 sold on Sep 21, 2020 after being listed at $191,000. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. But then his family moved to Cincinnati when he was very young. 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. From poor beginnings in the Jim Crow South to the top of the boxing world and beyond, Ezz . Charles lost a controversial decision in their fourth and final bout. 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 coasted through the final four rounds and lost the chance to become the first man to regain the heavyweight championship. Known for his slick defense and precision, he is often considered the greatest light heavyweight boxer of all time. He died on May 27, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He won over boxers like Jimmy Bivins, Teddy Randolph, Joe Kahut, Archie Moore and Lloyd Marshal in the light heavyweight divisions. Born in Lawrenceville, named after the doctor that birthed him, Ezzard Charless family had the bravery to leave Jim Crowe Georgia to pursue better opportunity. Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/walcott-jersey-joe. Ezzard Charles was born on the 7th of July, 1921. 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. Ezz had a daily routine of exercising and eating right. 3 Beds. 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. [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]. ." Jim Crowe laws not only threatened the lives of the black community, but ALL opportunities. "Jersey Joe Walcott Is Remembered." Although acknowledgedand often grudingly praisedas one of the finest boxers ever to hold the heavyweight. 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. Like many boxers, financial problems forced Charles to continue fighting, losing 13 of his final 23 fights. Charles is the only man ever to last the full 15-round distance against Marciano. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. 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. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. He had won 15round decisions from Walcott two times earlier. Buy. As per the report, Ezzard Charles lives in Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States. He was born Ezzard Mack Charles on July 7, 1921, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Post World War. 45203. . During the midnineteensixties, he became increasingly afflicted by lateral sclerosis, a disease that crippled his oncepowerful legs and then impaired his ability to speak. 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 American boxer He won the national AAU Middleweight Championship in 1939. Full-body sculpture of Ezzard Charles revealed to family | WKRC WINTON PLACE, Ohio (WKRC) - Ezzard Charles' son and namesake saw the full-body sculpture of his father for the first time. But if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing., See the article in its original context from. To that end, Ezz was determined to be the best for his family, for himself, and for his boxing profession. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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 . His grandmother raised him to be an honest, good-hearted man. His son, Ezzard Charles II on his visit to Gwinnett for the induction at CoolRay Field was quoted as saying of his fathers childhood, That time in our nation was tough on African-Americans. I was saving for a rainy day, and the rainy day has come, he said after admitting that his $2million had finally drained mysteriously away. He was born Ezzard Mack Charles on July 7, 1921, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He bought food and coal for Walcott's family, got the boxer's license renewed, and finally persuaded Walcott to give it a try. "Jersey Joe Walcott: The Improbable Champion." Who are the richest people in the world? 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. He was an avid reader and learned to speak Italian while serving during World War II. Charles retired with a record of 95 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw. After that, everyones age was more or less a guess.. One of the most persistent boxers of the 20th century, Jersey Joe Walcott refused to give up his dream of winning the world heavyweight title. 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. A long time Cincinnatian, he was also an entrepreneur, a musician, a multilinguist, and a good-will ambassador to the West End community, where he lived at the height of his boxing career. Considered one of the giants of sports in the 1920s, Gene Tunney became heavyweight boxing champion of the worl, Sugar Ray Robinson Dettloff gives us snapshots of the boxing landscape in the 30s, 40s and 50s, an era when crooks and gamblers had their fingers in the game Gamblers, hustlers, drunks, whores, killers; they all felt at home in the fight business because they were among their own and because nobody was there to stop them.. 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. 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 . It wasn't Ezzard's fault. 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. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Ezzard Charles was a Cancer and was born in the G.I. Square that I was, I believed every word. Shower and massage. However, he served in the U.S. military during World War II and was unable to fight professionally in 1945. GreatSchools is the leading nonprofit providing high-quality information that supports parents pursuing a great education for their child, schools striving for excellence, and communities . For his regular contributions to the community, Ohio Governor Frank Lasche presented Ezz with the Good Citizenship Award in 1954. It also earned them acclaim as the toughest men of their eras. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. [3] Charles graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati where he was already becoming a well-known fighter. After retiring in 1956, he made brief comeback attempts in 1958 and 1959, losing to a compendium of alsorans. He had simply come along at a time when a bloodhungry public couldnt appreciate him. During Ezzs rise, he was forced to fight in a heavier weight class and was frequently out-weighed by up to 30 pounds. People just didn't want to see Louis lose. He followed this up in 1939 by winning the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament of champions. In fact, Ezz was part owner of the Cotton Club and saw many legendary acts come through including Duke Ellington, Scatman Crothers, Pearl Bailey, and Sarah Vaughn. A rematch in Philadelphia the following year saw Charles take an impressive lead on points, but squander it (and the decision) through conservative tactics. The following year, Charles failed in an attempt to recapture the title from Walcott, who lost it barely three months later to Rocky Marciano. 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 Georgia state education spending was at about $43 per white student in 1930, and only $10 per black student in the states public school system. Walcott made his professional boxing debut in 1930 at the age of sixteen, knocking out Cowboy Wallace in the first round of a match in Vineland, New Jersey. He was born July 7, 1921, in Lawrenceville, Ga. After his family moved to Cincinnati when he was a child, he became interested in boxing. Corrections? Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. When Ezz was young she gave him permission to join a gym and pursue boxing, keeping him busy after school. Like many famous people and celebrities, Ezzard Charles kept his personal life private. Hello. Ciao. How do you greet people in other languages? In 2022, a statue honoring Ezzard Charles was unveiled in Laurel Park Cincinnati, OH. View 29 photos of this 3 bed, 2 bath, 1711 sqft. Charles attempted to right his financial fortunes through careers as a professional wrestler, a greeter at a nightclub and then as a coordinator of boxing clubs in Chicago's Commission on Youth. If Charles had won this fight, he would have become the first man in history to regain the heavyweight championship. Some of the community organizations that he advocated for continue to provide services throughout Cincinnati and have since enshrined Ezzard Charles in their history. 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 or. The 1920s represented an era of change and growth. American boxer 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. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/charles-ezzard, Salzman, Linda "Charles, Ezzard Nobody gave any credit to Ezzard. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Montreal is The Fight City. Ezzs skill in the ring was just one jewel in the crown of his legacy. Because of this, Ezz excelled at boxing while also graduating Woodward High Schoola rare feat for a professional boxer. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. Newsday (February 27, 1994): 18. Log In. The baby from Meet the man, follow the legend, and see for yourself why Ezzard Charles is much more than one of the greatest boxers ever. Ezz was an avid reader, often passing his down time with books about philosophy. . Ezzard delivers a baby. Given the dearth of material available on Charles, save for sepia-toned back issues of fight magazines and grainy contest footage, these early passages of the biography offer a wonderful insight into his formative years and what made him tick. In 1976, Cincinnati honored Charles by changing the name of Lincoln Park Drive to Ezzard Charles Drive. Any devotee of The Sweet Science should add this volume to their Required Reading list, without delay. Perhaps most endearing and dedicated of all was Gladys Gertrell, Ezzs wife and mother of their three children, Ezz II, Deborah, and Leith. 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. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. 6318 Ezzard Charles Ln, Houston, TX 77091 is for sale. Judge Artie Aidala scored the fight 9-5-1 while judge Harold Barnes' tally was 8-6-1. He ended Louis's comeback in 1950 by winning a 15round decision, but found the triumph hollow. He temporarily left boxing in 1943 to enlist in the U.S. Army. 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. Top 12 All-Time Greatest Muhammad Ali Performances, Top 12 All-Time Greatest Heavyweight Punchers, Top 12 Reasons Why Muhammad Ali Is Forever The Greatest. In 1966 he was stricken with a muscle-debilitating disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and was confined to a wheelchair. 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. In attempts to regain the world championship, he lost to Walcott in 1952 and twice to Rocky Marciano in 1954. Dettloff makes sure were aware that in many cases Charles had to overcome significant size disadvantages to have his hand raised. Please check back soon for updates. Associated With He was close friend of Rocky Marciano as well as a one-time neighbor of Muhammad Ali. He gave up for good when a fighter named Alvin Green defeated him on Sept. 1, 1959. But two years later, on July 18, 1951, Walcott turned the tables on Charles, knocking him out to take the heavyweight title for himself. People born under this sign are honest, observant and hardworking. Charles retired from boxing in 1956, with two brief, unsuccessful comeback attempts in 1958 and 1959. 1923-1969 Remaining a top contender with wins over Rex Layne, Tommy Harrison and Coley Wallace, Charles knocked out Bob Satterfield in an eliminator bout for the right to challenge Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano. McKenna Brooks Email: info@ccatsober.org "Ezzard Mark Charles." [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. Who Is Ezzard Charles's Wife? In the. . When preparing for a boxing match, Ezz focused on speed and stamina. Learn about the artistic expression and culture that made Ezzard Charles (Ezz) a Renaissance man. Everything that Charles had been before the Bivins fight he was again: fast, powerful, hungry and indefatigable Moore, as good as he was, and as cagey and strong as he was, never stood a chance.. Davis, Samuel. Ezzard Charles. He trained himself so well that he fought 42 amateur bouts and won them all before embarking on a professional career in 1940. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Ezzard Charles was born in Lawrenceville, United States. He would try his punches on the homemade boxing bag. He also loses, to slick and crafty Kid Tunero, and to Jimmy Bivins and Lloyd Marshall, the latter two defeats later avenged. Dinner and cards with his crew to pass time, listen to jazz records. Despite being a natural light-heavy he won the heavyweight title and made 9 successful title defenses. 1921-1989 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 was born on July 7, 1921 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. Boxer Jersey Joe Walcott was born Arnold Raymond Cream and raised in Merchantville, near Camden, New Jersey, one of twelve childr, Marciano, Rocky See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby. 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. MLS# 67543607. My mother delivered the boy perhaps in the 1950s or 1960s. It was as if he had lost. Ezzard Charles . Ezzard Charles, 53, Dies; Held Heavyweight Title, https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/29/archives/ezzard-charles-53-dies-held-heavyweight-title-glamour-eluded-him.html. 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. Ezzard Charles Height, Weight & Measurements At 54 years old, Ezzard Charles height is 6' (1.83 m) . New York Times, May 29, 1975, p. 38. Ezzard Charless birth sign is Cancer and he had a ruling planet of Moon. http://www.gamemasteronline.com/Archive/SweetScience/JerseyJoeWalcott.shtml (October 26, 2002). Some time after their ninth child was born, a fire burned down part of the tree and seared off the notches. The retirement of Joe Louis after just over eleven years as heavyweight champ set the stage for a match between Walcott and Ezzard Charles for the now-vacant World Boxing Association heavyweight title. Get an inside beat on a day in the life of the Cincinnati Cobra, and how the importance of family drove him to greatness. He looked more like a member of Duke Ellington's jazz band. American boxer Despite his fame, Ezz stayed humble and was a dedicated advocate for the West End. Boxing celebrities, including Marciano, Archie Moore and Muhammad All (then Cassius Clay) turned out to honor the former champion. $615,000 Last Sold Price. Nearby homes similar to 6318 Ezzard Charles Ln have recently sold between $360K to $615K at an average of $250 per square foot. With Louis being so popular, many fans and boxing writers were not happy with the outcome. 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. Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Brancaccio Theater, Esquilino, Rome, Italy. The two faced off on June 22, 1949. He turned professional in 1940, knocking out Melody Johnson in the fourth round.