Ezzard Charles 'The Beginning of the End' April 27, 1955

[gilgamesh]

Yeah Ezzard was well past his best by then so he did in fact get upset by Johnny Holman via 9th round TKO, at least he was able to get revenge on Holman two months later though with a 10 round decision victory.

I think most of what Charles had left he lost in the two bouts with Rocky Marciano, but he still had I'm sure far more boxing know-how and innate ability than a guy like Holman even at this advanced stage in his career, which is why he was able to beat him in the rematch.


Sad that so many great fighters end on such a bad run when they were so special in their primes.

[CNorkusJr]

In Feb. 1955, my father fought Ezzard Charles in MSG. My father went the distance with him and stated that "Charles was not a hard puncher, but was wily enough to come at him from all directions". (The video is on youtube.) My father was ranked 8th at the time of this fight. So though he just lost two to Rocky, Ezzard was still the 5-1 favorite going into this one vs Charley Norkus.

It was my father's shot for getting a match vs. Marciano, but going the distance wasnt good enough. Charles had my father down in the 9th Rd. but at that point, my fathers corner felt he was behind on points ad my father started the 9th with a haymaker try ,but Charles beat him to it. My father did manage to close Ezzards Right eye early, but the ex-champ was "excellent" in protecting himself from my fathers left hooks from that point on. Agreed, Charles was a few notches down from where he once was, but my father said he was still tough as nails as any "top" opponent could be. Marciano took alot of starch out of Charles, no question asked on that.











disregard the top picture vs Archie Moore (The two pictures were scanned together).

[gilgamesh]

Mr. Norkus,

I see your Dad is listed at 6' 0", the same as Ezzard Charles.

Is that the correct height.

I see that your Dad was on a pretty good roll {winning 8 of 9} heading into the bout
with Ezzard Charles.

Ezzard was ranked at #4, and wanted one more chance at Rocky Marciano. What
were the 'Odds' for that fight between your Dad and Ezzard.

Ezzard Charles was the 5-1 favorite

[CNorkusJr]

Mr. Norkus,

I see your Dad is listed at 6' 0", the same as Ezzard Charles.

Is that the correct height.

I see that your Dad was on a pretty good roll {winning 8 of 9} heading into the bout
with Ezzard Charles.

Ezzard was ranked at #4, and wanted one more chance at Rocky Marciano. What
were the 'Odds' for that fight between your Dad and Ezzard.

My father was 6'o , 194 lbs for his career. (The promo photos show a taller Charles in a Boxing Stance, but they were equal heights.

The fight was 4-1 Charles in week before fight but went to 5-1 in day of fight.

1954 was a banner year for my father. A talk with Al Weill made my father up there with a title shot. Weill sent my father in to fight Nardico and Powell to feel them out for champ, Rocky. Both were told they would be in a title shot if they got by my father. They didnt. Even with a Hurricane Jackson setback (stopped on cuts), my father earned a shot, but needed to get by Ezzard Charles. Note that my father had a contract to fight Marciano before he had title in 1952, but Rocky's one month suspension from various states caused a cancellation of that contract and never made up again.

My father never wavered on his comments to the press or radio/tv interviews. Marciano was the toughest puncher in all of boxing. Marciano was considered the toughest heavyweight to fight in his time as Champion by all Lt Heavies and Heavies. Because he dangled his right hand after a thrown punch, left him vunerable to left handed hitters who could tag him on his open head. Because of that, he cautioned on lefties, in which my father won many fights on a strong left hook, though a primary righty.

My father would say " I dont know if I could have beaten Marciano, but it would have been a interesting fight". My father went on to say that first you must avoid his right jabs and hooks at all costs if you had any shot at all at him. A tough thing to do.

my father broken up by Marciano vs Powell at San Fran Airport 1954


out on the town with Rocky in Brooklyn, NY in 1963.

[CNorkusJr]

Though Marciano took alot out of Ezzard- My father said that he was as good as they come, even at a latter age. Ezzard was always un-respected as a Champion fighter- but in reality was one of boxings top 5 easy of all-time. My father trained after his time in the gym and came in early to watch Ezzard go through his paces. He said his training regiment was awesome considering they were fighting monthly or every two months or so back then. Lots of stamina and signs of a great champ.

My father's only fight in 1955. My father cleared $12,000 from the fight which was a hell of alot of money for non-title holders then. He got comfortable for the summer then hit the comeback trail in 1956 and eventually went after Patterson's belt. My father thought Ezzard stayed around too long-but no doubt he had money woes and needed to fight. So much a common story with former Champs. My father said he was a great atlete and even a better guy to know. Real gentleman, much like Archie Moore was too.

[gilgamesh]

Though Marciano took alot out of Ezzard- My father said that he was as good as they come, even at a latter age. Ezzard was always un-respected as a Champion fighter- but in reality was one of boxings top 5 easy of all-time. My father trained after his time in the gym and came in early to watch Ezzard go through his paces. He said his training regiment was awesome considering they were fighting monthly or every two months or so back then. Lots of stamina and signs of a great champ.

My father's only fight in 1955. My father cleared $12,000 from the fight which was a hell of alot of money for non-title holders then. He got comfortable for the summer then hit the comeback trail in 1956 and eventually went after Patterson's belt. My father thought Ezzard stayed around too long-but no doubt he had money woes and needed to fight. So much a common story with former Champs. My father said he was a great atlete and even a better guy to know. Real gentleman, much like Archie Moore was too.

That's cool to hear. It's awesome that your father squared off with a Boxing Legend the level of Ezzard Charles. Everything I've read about Ezzard Charles usually paints him as a gentleman so I'm not surprised to hear your father said the same.

Did your pops fight any other big name fighters who's names Boxing fans might remember on down the line?

[gilgamesh]

Wow man, Our Mr. Norkus Jr.'s pop also went the distance with Archie Moore, Willie Pastrano and has a win over Roland LaStarza whom Marciano defended the Heavyweight crown against.

Impressive stuff.

Sounds like your dad was a tough customer.

[gilgamesh]

He went 1-1 with Cesar Brion as well. A man who twice went the distance with Joe Louis and also Ezzard Charles.

[CNorkusJr]

gilgamesh- Thank You for your comments

Enjoy- http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=118618

[gilgamesh]

gilgamesh- Thank You for your comments

Enjoy- http://boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=118618

Thank you for sharing what you shared

I'm sure your Father was a good man, he certainly wasn't too shabby as a Professional Fighter

[BoxBuzz]

Thanks for bringing these stories to this thread Norkus. First class! And just a joy to read.

[CNorkusJr]

Thanks for bringing these stories to this thread Norkus. First class! And just a joy to read.

Thank You. My Pleasure. When you hear comments from an insider (What my father told me)-they carry more weight.

I'll post more articles on fighters and fights my father had when I can on his thread. Charlie jr.