From the Video Vault: Ezzard Charles at the Cincinnati Gardens

Ezzard Charles was arguably the greatest athlete the city of Cincinnati has ever produced.

“The Cincinnati Cobra,” as he was nicknamed, held the heavyweight boxing championship for more than two years (1949-1951). In the course of his 119 fight boxing career, he defeated the likes of Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Archie Moore.

Charles won Joe Louis’ vacated heavyweight title in June 1949. He defeated Jersey Joe Walcott by unanimous decision in the title bout, staged by the National Boxing Alliance. Charles successfully defended his heavyweight title on eight occasions, including victories over Walcott and Joe Louis, who came out of retirement to challenge Charles for the title. Charles lost the heavyweight title to Walcott by way of a seventh round knockout in July 1951.

From the video vault today is a prime Ezzard Charles fight from October 1952, a second round knockout of Bernie Reynolds at the Cincinnati Gardens.