Ezzard Charles vs. Elmer Ray (1st meeting)

Ezzard Charles 175 lbs lost to Elmer Ray 194 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1947-07-25
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Eddie Joseph 4-6
• Judge: Marty Monroe 8-2
• Judge: George LeCron 4-6

"Elmer (Violent) Ray, who is an old alligator wrestler out of Florida, was around today hollering for a shot at Joe Louis' heavyweight championship. He started putting up the holler immediately after coming in with a split 10 round decision last night in MSG over Ezzard Charles, a Cincinnati light heavyweight. Ray barely managed to get the nod of two of the officials, after putting up a hot rush down the stretch, particualarly in the 7th and 9th when he forced Ezzard to grab and hold. The third official voted for Charles." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 5-4-1 Charles

Post fight comment

• "Charles is a good light heavyweight and fast but he couldn't knock my hat off. If Louis still refuses to meet me I'm gonna hang up my gloves. Why spend the rest of my life chasing him?" -Elmer Ray

• Sol Strauss of the 20th Century Sporting Club attempted to line up a November 14, 1947 bout for the title between Joe Louis and Elmer Ray in MSG. However, Louis instead signed to defend on December 5th in the same venue against Jersey Joe Walcott, who had defeated Ray earlier in the year.