Join us for an evening all about the extraordinary life of boxer Ezzard Charles. Hear from his biographer William Dettloff, as well as the Cincinnati Parks Foundation about the statue of Charles that will be installed in Laurel Park.
Free and open to the public.

Presented in partnership with the Cincinnati Parks Foundation.

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9, 2020

Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life by William Dettloff

Greatness is often overlooked in its own time. For Ezzard Charles--one of boxing's most skilled practitioners, with a record of 93-25-1 (52 KO)--recognition took decades. Named by The Ring magazine as the greatest light heavyweight of all time, Charles was frustrated in his attempts to get a shot at the 175-pound title, and as World Heavyweight Champion (1949-1951) struggled to win the respect of boxing fans captivated by Joe Louis' power and charisma. This first-ever biography of "The Cincinnati Cobra" covers his early life in a small country town and his career in the glamorously dirty business of prizefighting in the 1950s, one of the sport's Golden Ages. Charles' fights with Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Rocky Marciano and his three wins over the legendary Archie Moore are detailed.

Ezzard Charles Night