What's the highest you can rank Ezzard Charles all time?

Easily - in fact, I think he's a candidate for the #1 spot, which is a title I've bestowed on only four other fights (Robinson, Greb, Armstrong, and Langford).

Personally, I have him rated at #4, behind Robinson, Greb, and Armstrong, and one spot ahead of Langford.

 

#2 but I have him around 5 or so.

After going 42-0 as an amateur (some sources dispute this record) he turned pro. He won his first 20 pro fights.

On the way up he faced fighters like-
Marty Simmons W10, Ken Overlin L10 and D10, Teddy Yarosz W10, Kid Tunero LSD10, Charley Burley W10 x2, Jose Basora KO5, Joey Maxim W10 x2 (he would beat him 3 more times).

The losses to Jimmy Bivins and Lloyd Marshall-
Charles lost the last two fights he had before serving in the military. Those close to Charles claim that he was fighting injured during this time (hip injury). These fights took place in January and March of 1943. I've also read that he was trying to make some decent money before going to serve during WWII. Well, one thing seems to be sure... these were the two worst performances Charles had thru the first 100 fights of his pro career. He lost to Bivins L10 (down 7 times) and Marshall LKOby8 (down 8 times). Charles went 4-1 (1) vs. Bivins lifetime and 2-1 (2) vs. Marshall lifetime.

39-1 in his next 40 fights, 9-0 (5) in HW World Title fights-
In 1946 (after a few boxing matches in the military) Charles returned as a LHW. He went 39-1 in his next 40 fights. The only loss was a close decision that many felt Charles should have won vs. Elmer Ray. He stopped Ray in 9 rounds when they fought again. during this stretch he also beat-
Archie Moore W10 x2 and KO8, Jersey Joe Walcott W15 x2, Gus Lesnevich KO7, and Joe Louis W15 among plenty others.

Past prime but still very good-
Charles lost the HW title to Walcott LKOby7 in their 3rd fight. They fought a 4th time and Walcott won by decision but many felt that Charles deserved to become the first man to regain the HW Title. in Charles' 94th and 95th pro fight she lost close decisions that many felt could have gone his way... L10 Nino Valdes and LSD Harold Johnson. Between the 3rd and 4th fight with Walcott he stopped Rex Layne in 11 rounds. Layne won a very close decision in their 2nd fight. Charles won their 3rd fight by decision.

Rises to the occasion-
In Charles' 98th and 99th pro fights he faced a prime Rocky Marciano. Charles had beat Coley Wallace KO10 and Bob Satterfield KO2 leading up to the Marciano fights. Charles gave Marciano hell in their 2 fights, L15 and LKOby8 (the split-nose fight).

After Marciano Charles went just 10-13.

 

Louis was in awe of Robinson, that much came through loud and clear. I just cannot see how anyone who knows boxing and the history could have either Louis or Ali (who also insisted that Robinson was "The Greatest p4p" --no modesty there) over Robinson. I just can't see it.

 

Louis was in awe of dempsey too. i think. its hardly relevant.
Robinson worshipped Louis. it all goes round in circles.

Louis's championship record speaks for itself. 25 successful defences in 11 year reign. 22 KOs.

Robinson's doesn't compare. i think he defended the welterweight title 4 times in 4 years. he fought a lot of non-title fights. He had some close, even disputed decisions in this time. at his absolute peak.
I'm not saying he's not the greatest ever but it should be clear to all boxing historians the areas where he doesnt match up to Louis.

as middleweight champion he lost his title in his first defence. then regained and made two more defences and the retired. then came back and lost to tiger jones. he went on winning back and losing the title a lot.
YES this is greatness past his prime.
but again it should be clear that what louis did was in some very real way superior.

I'm not saying Louis > Robinson.
But i disagree with the notion that it cannot be so.

 

Louis wouldve been told to state that he rated Dempsey the greatest HW ever. Like a good little boy, or no title shot.

 

Gans, walcott, ketchel, o'brien and wills. That's a victory over elite greats from lw to hw which is staggering.

 

You seldom see O'Brien in today's P4P light heavyweight lists - didn't include him.

All in all that's some serious stuff.

 

O'Brien was a terrific fighter but forgotten today ... he was also light ... 168 or so .. he might be a sup middleweight today

 

Here you go Snooks fans.

 

I fail to see how this matches up to Ezzard Charles's.

Moore, Burley, Louis, Marshall, Maxim, Bivins, Walcott, Layne, Ray, Baroudi, Satterfield, Yarosz and most prime and multiple times is better than most peoples résumé, Angott's included.

 

Highest? 1.
That is if you include both skill and résumé in the criteria, if not the highest I've had him is 3, he's clearly below Langford and Greb pfp imo, splitting hairs with Robinson and Armstrong. Right now I have him at 4:

Langford
Greb
Armstrong
Charles
Robinson

He's my number 1 most skilled fighter ever tho

 

Pretty clear top 5 IMO.
But it feels like there's 20 people you can put in 10 spots.

 

4th, but I have him 5th.

 

Archie Moore 3...