Ezzard Charles reign

A fairly solid run. Taking the championship from Walcott, successfully defending against Louis (and being the first person to beat him in over a decade), Maxim and Walcott were the highlights.

Of course, Walcott would get Charles eventually, after which things went down hill.

Even then, Charles was still capable of beating a ranked fighter or two and, over the course of pursuing his heavyweight exploits, had amassed quite a number of those noted scalps.

 

Better I'd say Louis and Walcott are better then anyone Patterson beat

 

Lesnevich was a career LHW who was maybe the 5-6 LHW of his era.

Savold was a decent contender by nothing special.

 

Charles career at hw reminds me of Holyfield. Two completely different careers in one. I’m harsh on the 40s as there was a break in boxing with ww2. Imo it spurred a great era in the 50s as many vets got into boxing because of the military. That being said it’s also harder to judge the era w such little footage. So many great fighters weren’t filmed in their primes. We didn’t get to see Elmer Ray, Curtis Sheppard, Turkey Thompson, Lee Q Murray and other great black fighters because they didn’t get filmed. Maybe they were better then the lack luster fighters like Lee Oma that were filmed. He beat great HWs and those w great wins at HW like Louis, Moore, Walcott, Layne, Bivins, Satterfield, Ray etc. His title run was a bit weak. Maybe in hindsight he missed Turkey Thompson and Clarence Henry which deserved shots over some of the poor competition he gave shots too,

 

Faced a bunch of has-beens and nobodies. WW2 drained the pond of big fish. It wasn't his fault. But don't suggest I entertain his run alongside that of Holyfield or Lewis.

 

Charles would be a tough one for Usyk