Thoughts on Ezzard Charles

Fact is Walcott who is on no- ones top ten all time list knocked Charles spark out in their third fight.:think From what I remember neither Charles or Walcott looked much in their 4th fight.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_1N_Qyd_ss

Charles-Walcott IV judge for yourself

 

Seeing all of these opinions i think that a lot of people criticisms of Charles as a heavyweight forget the fact that:

1, He changued a lot after the baroudi fight, he wasnt a mean human being that wanted to hurt others but could fight and knock his opponents, but after the baroudi tragedy he appeared to be more cautious and never fought at lightheavy again possibly because he didnt wanted to hurt people his own size.

and 2, his disease started to show up if you compare the walcott fights he appears to be deteriorating more and more every time they fight, this could explain why at 30 years old he looked different but of course he was a great technician so he could still compete at certain level.

This is not for justify but when you tinhk about these factors you have to wonder what could have been really?

My personal opinion about him is that he was one of the greatest assets to the sport, a great great boxer and a greater human being, in contrast to Robinson who is always considered as the number 1 of all time, he fought some people of the murdere'rs row and great competition, also he was avoided himself and deprived of a title shot at middle and light heavy weight.

He was a wonder boy amateur, lost against Ken Overlin with a very few pro fights, and draw with him in his second fight but rebounded after that.

Beat Burley two times at 19 years old, if you saw the picture of this fight you will know that the physical attributes of Charles werent that much he looked really thin as a middleweight.

Then goes up at light heavy gets beat by 2 great avoided fighters but shows heart then goes to serve at world war 2 in Italy like other boxers, comes back at the full of his powers and haves one of the greatest rows of victories of all time and close defeat with underrated heavyweight Elmer Ray, including 3 victories against what we can call a peak Archie Moore not too youn but not too old, and the last of this victories by knockout.

Take in count that after this fight the Baroudi tragedy happens, goes up to heavyweight permanently wins the lineal title an the rest is the history that everybody knows not appreciated champion lose to Walcott then shower in glory in the Marciano fights.

To put in short i will use a phrase that i read in an article abouyt charles:

"For the real Ezzard Charles was the biggest nugget in a goldmine of outstanding talent in the early to late forties"

and this paragraph

"It was in the glamour division that he finally won his world championship and gained the worldwide recognition he deserved: after his true prime, after Sam Baroudi, after television had caught up with him and missed his greatest accomplishments.

Most of the archive film of Ezzard shows him slipping over the hill and wasting away into the role of journeyman and trial horse.

Isn’t life the damndest thing?"


and sorry for my bad english im Mexican

 

maybe marciano,johnson and dempsey...he would be an underdog.

 

One by one
Ali- most overrated boxer of all time, media hype, etc Charles W 15
Louis- already beat him
Marciano- almost beat him twice, could have pulled it off
Holmes- Outhustled by Spinks, Charles a better version of Spinks
Lewis- knocked out by lesser fighters
Johnson-primitive, gets stopped
Foreman- Charles Jimmy Youngs him
Dempsey- Dempsey sees he is fighting a black guy,folds like an accordion
Tyson- Big bully, can't take Charles standing up to him (Liston ditto)
Frazier- Charles won't lose to a one handed fighter

 

I think the easy way out is to say he was the greatest light heavyweight ever but he campaigned and was champion in the heavyweight division and had some excellent wins fighting and beating top competition. Even in his only 2 losses leading up to Marciano 2 of 14, one was disputed and the other he sought a rematch but was avoided. The Marciano fights were tough and gallant but those were 2 wars too many. Had he retired after the Marciano fight, most would have him in there top 10. I have JJW in my top 10 and Charles could be as well. On a good night he would trouble and possibly beat anyone from Ali,Johnson, Dempsey, Patterson,Louis, etc. We know the fight he gave Marciano...fighting top fighters consistently take there toll and Ezzard may have the best resume ever

 

some valid points and examples. I think the 1950's Charles may have been too slender but he was a top 15 rd fighter and he had all the tools,skills

 

Most all the Classic yarns in one list. Well done!

 

Seamus,

Why don't you think Wladimir Klitschko is top 5 h2h ever

 

I don't know if I don't.

Ali, Lewis and Louis would be my first and most secure choices... after that it gets foggy... Holmes, Holyfield... maybe Waldo.

 

I'll be honest I feel I could've done better with the rock.

 

Ezz was probably the greatest lightheavyweight champion, an excellent heavyweight champ (capped of by unbelieveably gutsy displays vs Marciano in both their fights), a first class man and representative of the sport of boxing as well as an all around image of a sportsman....and true first class individual if one ever lived.

 

I am in awe of this post!!