Ezzard Charles was an American boxer in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions and was world heavyweight champion from 1949 to 1951. On 22 June 1949, he boxed Jersey Joe Walcott in Chicago for the heavyweight world championship title that was vacant after the retirement of the legendary Joe Louis. He won after 15 rounds. However, Ring Magazine was so little taken with the fight that they did not want to rate Charles as world champion. Only when Charles defeated Joe Louis after his comeback in September 1950 was he recognized as world champion. At a later stage of his boxing career, in 1954, he fought twice more for the world championship title against the legendary Rocky Marciano, losing both fights. Charles had the “glory” of being the only boxer who had lasted 15 rounds against Marciano. His boxing record was 95 wins in 121 fights with 25 losses and 1 draw. Ezzard Charles was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Charles came to perform most impressively in the light heavyweight weight class. He is regarded by Ring Magazine as the best light heavyweight of all time, especially because of his three victories over Archie Moore, who was ranked number 2. Ironically, he was never able to fight for the light heavyweight title in his prime.