Ezzard Charles vs. Rex Layne (1st meeting)
Ezzard Charles 188 lbs beat Rex Layne 195 lbs by TKO in round 11 of 12
- Date: 1951-10-10
- Location: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Referee: Buck McTiernan
"Ezzard Charles is hot on the comeback trail Thursday after knocking out Rex Layne in the same ring where he lost his heavyweight title to Jersey Joe walcott. Charles stopped Layne, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2:32 of the 11th round Wednesday night in an interesting but unimpressive bout before a disappointing turnout of 6,257 fans at Forbes Field. Up until the 10th, it was just another 12 round bout. With seconds running out, Charles opened up with a barrage of lefts and rights and Layne went down. He lay prone on his back as the bell ended the round at the count of eight. His seconds had to haul the Utah strong boy back to his corner. Charles was far ahead on points when a hard right to the chin in the 11th dropped Layne for a nine-count and the referee stopped it." -Associated Press
Scorecards (through 10 completed rounds - all for Charles)
- Referee Buck McTiernan - 7-3
- Judge Art McGivern - 6-3-1
- Judge Frank Stypert - 8-2
- Unofficial UP scorecard - 6-3-1 Charles
- Layne was credited with winning rounds 3, 6 and 9.
- Gate - $59,763 (including TV rights)
- Purses - It was determined that Charles' 35% of the net gate was not likely to exceed $15,000. Layne's 25% would be substantially less.
Post fight comments
- "He missed too many punches. Ez needs plenty of work. He's the kind of fighter who must keep fighting." -Ray Arcel, Charles' trainer
- "He don't hit as hard as some of them but he can really box. He should take Walcott in their return fight." -Rex Layne