Ezzard Charles Documentary - The Cincinnati Cobra

Known as the Cincinnati Cobra, the Quiet Tiger, and the Cincinnati Flash, Ezzard Charles was a master of subtle brilliance in the brutal world of boxing. Born in poverty in 1921, Charles overcame challenges from an early age, inspired by boxing legends like Jack Johnson and Tiger Flowers. His journey began in a Cincinnati gym, and by 16, he was winning amateur titles with an unmatched skill and speed.

Charles’s professional career was marked by legendary fights, including matchups with Archie Moore, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Rocky Marciano. However, his reserved style and lack of theatrics often left him in the shadow of flashier boxers, despite his technical mastery and numerous victories. Tragedy struck when Charles’s powerful attack led to the untimely death of opponent Sam Baroudi, a loss that haunted him for the rest of his career.

After years at the top, Charles faced financial hardships, and in his later years, he suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a battle he fought with the same resilience he showed in the ring. With the unwavering support of his wife, Gladys, he continued to face life’s challenges, his quiet strength and smile enduring to the end.

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