CHARLES, EZZARD (MACK)

born July 7, 1921, Lawrenceville, Ga., U.S. died May 28, 1975, Chicago Ezzard Charles (right) boxing Joe Louis during their heavyweight title bout, 1950. American world heavyweight boxing champion from Sept. 27, 1950, when he outpointed Joe Louis in 15 rounds in New York City, to July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Jersey Joe Walcott in seven rounds in Pittsburgh. He won several amateur championships, including two Golden Gloves crownswelterweight, 1938, and middleweight, 1939before turning professional in 1940. Before winning the heavyweight championship, he had won the National Boxing Association title by defeating Walcott on June 22, 1949. In attempts to regain the world championship, he lost to Walcott in 1952 and twice to Rocky Marciano in 1954. From 1940 to 1959, Charles fought 122 bouts, winning 96, 58 by knockouts.