Muhammad Ali (1962) Vs Ezzard Charles (Title Reign)

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by El'Ice, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:09 PM.


Who Wins?

  1. Muhammad Ali

  2. Ezzard Charles

  3. Draw

Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. El'Ice

    El'Ice New Member Full Member

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    The Ali that faced Charles's light-heavyweight rival Archie Moore is set up to fight for a chance at winning the Heavyweight Championship against the man who defeated the likes of Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Louis, Gus Lesnevich and Joey Maxim

    Is Ali with his speed and athleticism capable of beating the experienced, crafty and skilled champion?
     
    El'Ice, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:09 PM
    El'Ice, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:09 PM
    #1
  2. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He was pretty green.
     
    ThatOne, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:19 PM
    ThatOne, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:19 PM
    #2
    Jackomano likes this.
  3. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He definitely would have a chance, since Ali was that great of a talent, but he was still very green as a pro in 1962 and didn’t have many 10 rounders under him, so I’d have to heavily favor Charles.

    I think that Ali by 1964 learned a lot from the Doug Jones and Henry Cooper fights going into his fight with Liston and wouldn’t have been as successful without the experience he gained from those fights.
     
    Jackomano, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:46 PM
    Jackomano, Aug 17, 2026 at 1:46 PM
    #3
    slash, George Crowcroft and 723 like this.
  4. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    Might be too early for Ali to win this one especially given how well another good textbook boxer in Doug jones did against early Ali. And ez was better than Doug in every way
     
    Melankomas, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:03 PM
    Melankomas, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:03 PM
    #4
    slash, George Crowcroft, mr. magoo and 1 other person like this.
  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Ali was a prospect in 1962, albeit a very advanced one . I would pick prime Charles to win a decision.
     
    mr. magoo, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
    mr. magoo, Aug 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
    #5
  6. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Ezz was a bit of a flailer at heavyweight. It's possible that Clay could work in between his shots or just set the pace outright. One fighter on a precipitous path down, the other on the same degree but upward.
     
    Seamus, Aug 17, 2026 at 6:59 PM
    Seamus, Aug 17, 2026 at 6:59 PM
    #6
    ThatOne likes this.
  7. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Think Ali was too fast for him. Way too quick on his feet and way faster hands. Just see Charles doing lots of following and not letting his hands go because this guy is no longer there to be hit.
     
    zadfrak, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:32 AM
    zadfrak, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:32 AM
    #7
    slash likes this.
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Ali may be too green but perhaps he catches Ezz at just the right time.
     
    Fergy, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:36 AM
    Fergy, Aug 18, 2026 at 4:36 AM
    #8
  9. 723

    723 Delusional Old-Head + New Boxing Fan Full Member

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    Charles for sure, Ali was too green
     
    723, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:47 AM
    723, Aug 18, 2026 at 6:47 AM
    #9
  10. Devon

    Devon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali in a close and competitive decision, gaining valuable experience from it.

    He’d be forced to adapt and learn mid-fight, and would be forced to grind out a win, which I do see him doing.
     
    Devon, Aug 18, 2026 at 8:18 AM
    Devon, Aug 18, 2026 at 8:18 AM
    #10
    slash likes this.
  11. slash

    slash Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Clay/Ali was such a natural born fighter. Then he learned how to box.. quick study, no doubt.. he wanted it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2026 at 10:42 AM
    slash, Aug 18, 2026 at 9:01 AM
    slash, Aug 18, 2026 at 9:01 AM
    #11
    ThatOne and Devon like this.
  12. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

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    Cassius was consistently a winner. He would find a way.
     
    newurban99, Aug 18, 2026 at 9:07 AM
    newurban99, Aug 18, 2026 at 9:07 AM
    #12
  13. thistle

    thistle Boxing Junkie

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    so a young Clay against a seasoned peak Charles,

    the mind insists it's got to be Ali, though maybe at that point Charles... I can't really think of it that way, so

    I'd have to go with peak vs peak and say Ali.
     
    thistle, Aug 18, 2026 at 11:28 AM
    thistle, Aug 18, 2026 at 11:28 AM
    #13
  14. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I think Ezzard had too much game for some 10 fight kid to beat him .. remember in 63 Ali barely squeezed by Doug Jones ...
     
    he grant, Aug 18, 2026 at 3:34 PM
    he grant, Aug 18, 2026 at 3:34 PM
    #14