Ezzard Charles vs. Jimmy Bivins (1st meeting)
Ezzard Charles 165 lbs lost to Jimmy Bivins 175 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1943-01-07
- Location: Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Writer James E. Doyle of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, scored it as 6 rounds for Bivins, three for Charles, and one even.
- Attendance: 10,355
- This was one of the semi-finals of a tournament set up to crown a 'Duration light heavyweight champion' while Gus Lesnevich was in the service. Bivins was now scheduled to fight Anton Christoforidis on Feb. 23rd in the tournament finals.
"Jimmy Bivins of Cleveland, ranked by the NBA as the logical contender for the light heavyweight title held by Gus Lesnevich blasted out a 10 round decision over Ezzard Charles of Cincinnati here Thursday night. Bivins was all business last night as he floored Charles three times for a count of nine. Charles also took a count of two in the 8th of the scrap. Charles had an edge in the first two rounds and had Bivins down on one knee for a no-count in the 2nd, but Bivins started unleashing his heavy guns in the 3rd. Charles was felled for a nine count by a terrific left hook just before the end of the round. Both fighters started the 4th with a furious exchange but Bivins shook his opponent with two rights. Charles took another nine count and arose just before the bell. Bivins continued his attack in the 5th and this time a hard left sent Ezzard to the canvas for the third count of nine. Charles started fighting again in the 8th and concentrated his attack on Bivins' body. Jimmy rallied toward the close of the round and had Charles down on one knee for a toll of two as the bell rang. The 174 lb. Bivins, who had a nine pound advantage over Charles, won the decision unanimously. -Associated Press