Yes. Bivins did it. Marshall did it. Smith did it. Fitzpatrick did it. I'm not hating Charles, it's pretty well known on here I'm his biggest fan, and he's my all-time favourite. But he did go down a lot, he's a bit like Marquez or Trinidad in that regard. Not so hard to drop but very hard to stop.
I think we both know that pre WW2 version wasn't prime Charles, which does include the knock downs against Bivins and Marshall. And correct me if im wrong, but didnt Charles came injured into the fight against Marshall? Anyway doesnt change the fact that I was wrong in my answer above. You are right he did get floored twice in his prime in 47 which is something I didnt knew! Thank you for that extra information
This content is protected Interview with Marciano and Charles before there first fight. Great footage.
He was dropped in the rematches against both Bivins and Marshall. Both happened after his time in the military.
Actually, while I don't believe Charles is overrated...he makes a good point. He's correct in that Charles in his LHW and early HW days was a more aggressive offense minded fighter.
I like you george. You keep me honest and don't let me get carried away. But you apply that to others as well. Respect.
Yes, Charles' career is damn near perfect. It's hard to say anyone really beat him until he got to Heavyweight, and even those fights, even the ones where he was KO'd, were very competitive. But Charles was prone to getting dropped. [url]http://www.perno.com/lists/HWCKD.html[/url] Scroll down to Charles, only after having found secure seating.
I wouldn't make too much of it. He was a very offensive fighter. Against hard punchers, he's bound to get hit. He was more like Pryor than people want to believe. It's kinda like Tunney, he was more like Foreman/Wilder before meeting Dempsey. When Charles realized he couldn't overwhelm all Heavyweights with his offense he developed very cagey defense. It didn't work against Maricano, though, because Marciano had unreal head movement and great control of distance. Plus Marciano poured on the pressure late.
Sorry for bursting your bubble. I thought you were mature enough to handle the truth. Charles was great, but he's being heaped to the top of the most talent-laden division of Boxing when he doesn't deserve to be. How is that fair to others? We are beholden to the truth, brother. Accept it and know peace.