Nickname: “The Cincinnati Cobra”
Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight / Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Professional Record: 95 – 25 – 1 (52 KOs)
Years Active: 1940 – 1959
Biography
Ezzard Charles was the most skilled technician of the heavyweight division’s golden age — a fluid, cerebral fighter whose subtle mastery often went underappreciated. Beginning his career as a middleweight, Charles defeated a string of all-time greats including Charley Burley, Archie Moore, and Joey Maxim before moving up to heavyweight.
After Joe Louis retired in 1949, Charles captured the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Jersey Joe Walcott. He successfully defended the title against Walcott, Louis (in Louis’s comeback fight), and numerous top contenders before narrowly losing the crown in 1951.
Respected by peers and historians alike, Charles’s balance of precision and calm composure earned him the nickname “The Cincinnati Cobra.”
Ezzard Charles in the Hobby
Charles’s card appearances mark the transition between pre- and post-war collecting, bridging the Leaf era and early Topps sets.
Rookie & Early Issues
1948 – Leaf Boxing (USA): Universally recognized as Ezzard Charles’s true rookie card; features a bold red background and minimalist portrait.
1951 – Topps Ringside (USA): Early full-color depiction of the former champion; one of the set’s key heavyweight cards.
1956 – Hemmets Journal (Sweden): International issue celebrating Charles’s championship legacy.
Registry Metadata
Earliest Issue: 1948 Leaf Boxing (USA)
Rookie Year: 1948
Key Sets: 1948 Leaf, 1951 Ringside, 1956 Hemmets Journal
Grading Rarity: Leaf PSA pop ≈ 80; PSA 8+ examples rarely seen
Recent Notable Sales: 1948 Leaf (PSA 8) — $2,950 (2024)
Legacy
Ezzard Charles combined grace, intelligence, and courage in equal measure. His résumé across multiple divisions remains one of the strongest in history. For collectors, the 1948 Leaf rookie represents post-war boxing’s purest technician — a timeless symbol of understated greatness.
