NO. 9 (TIE) EZZARD CHARLES
Height: 6-0
Active: 1940-59
Record: 95-25-1 (52 KOs)
Reign(s): 1949-51
Background: Charles was one of the best fighters ever pound-for-pound. The “Cincinnati Cobra” started as a middleweight and then became one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time, even though he never fought for the title. During that period, he went 5-0 against Joey Maxim, 3-0 against Archie Moore and 2-0 against Charley Burley, which historians will tell you is remarkable. Still, he would find his greatest fame as a heavyweight. He was virtually untouchable against big men by the time he fought Jersey Joe Walcott in 1949 for the title that Joe Louis had vacated. Charles won a clear decision to become champion, after which he successfully defended eight times. That included victories over a comebacking Louis and Walcott again. Walcott finally beat him in their third meeting, in 1951, to win the title. Charles had three opportunities to regain his belt but lost again to Walcott and twice to Rocky Marciano. He faded after that but remains a legend.