Fight:17157

5th round action

Ezzard Charles 178 lbs beat Joe Baksi 211 lbs by TKO at 2:33 in round 11 of 15

• Date: 1948-12-10
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Ruby Goldstein

• Attendance: 11,194. Billed as eliminator for shot at Joe Louis. After the fight, Louis declared Charles the top contender for his world title.
• Baksi asked referee Ruby Goldstein to stop the bout, saying that he couldn't see. He had a cut over his left eye, as well as swelling on his left.
• Charles was penalized the 10th round for hitting on the breaks.
• Gate - $40,833
• Purses - Both fighters earned a purse of $9,000 apiece.
• Photo #2