Fight:1067261

Ezzard Charles beat Charley Banks by PTS in round 6 of 6

• Date: 1940-05-20
• Location: Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA


Cincinnati Enquirer, May 21, 1940

Charles, although tiring in the final rounds, gained the decision, but he had to fight one of the hardest battles of his career to do it.

Charles easily outscored Banks in the first three rounds with his two-fisted attack. Banks, realizing he had little chance to win in a slugging contest, began to lay back and take pot shots at Charles. The idea worked okay in turning the tide of battle, but the margin was not enough to offset Charles's early lead.

Charles Too Eager
Cincinnati Enquirer, May 22, 1940

Ezzard Charles, fighting in the semifinal bout, turned in another of his creditable performances. He gave away six pounds and easily outpointed Charlie Banks, a shifty fighter with considerable experience. Charles's most apparent weakness is his inability to pace himself - a fault that is a hangover of his amateur days where the best style of fighting is a whirlwind one throughout the three rounds. Charles used everything he had in the first three rounds against Banks and fought through the final three stanzas with the steam missing from his punches.