The First 'Junior Heavyweight' Champion ~ Ezzard Charles

Junior Heavyweight Championship

November 12, 1946

Duquesne Gardens ~ Pittsburg, Penssylvania

#1 Rank - Ezzard Charles - 41-4-1 {21 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 175 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 4 months}
vs.
#2 Rank - Jimmy Bivins - 52-7-1 {20 KO's} ~ 5' 9" ~ 186 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 11 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Ezzard Charles > Returned to boxing in February 1946, after spending nearly 3-Years in the Service
for the United States Military {Army}.

Since returning, Ezzard has gone 8-0-0 with {5 KO's}, including wins over Top fighters;
* September 23, 1946 ....... {W Dec 10} ... 'Oakland' Billy Smith
* July 29, 1946 ................. {KO 6} ........... Lloyd Marshall
* May 20, 1946 ................. {W Dec 10} .... Archie Moore

Jimmy Bivins > Was the 'Top' fighter in the Division from May 1942 thru February 1946, where he went
an 'incredible' 26-0-1 with {10 KO's}.

But Jimmy has lost 'back-to-back' Decisions to Heavyweights >
* June 10, 1946 .............. {L Dec 10} ........... Lee Q. Murray
* February 25, 1946 ........ {L Split-Dec 10} ... Jersey Joe Walcott

Jimmy is dropping back down to the 188 lb. Division, and will compete for the Junior-Heavyweight Championship.
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~ Ezzard Charles Holds On To Edge Out Jimmy Bivins For Junior-Heavyweight Championship ~

'The Cincinnati Cobra' - Ezzard Charles had to get off the canvas in Round 3, and weather a hard-charge
from 'burly' Clevelander - Jimmy Bvins to score a close and 'hard-fought' 15-Round Decision to capture the
'vacant' Junior-Heavyweight Championship.

The fast-handed Charles had his way over the shorter Bivins during the first 2-Rounds. But in Round 3,
Bivins caught Charles with a 'short' right-hand to the chin, that put him down for a '9-Count'.

The Cleveland brawler tried to end it in Round 3, but Charles was to fleet-footed to get caught, and escaped
Bivins wide hooks.

Bivins continued to 'brawl inside' in Round 4, and was in command. But, Jimmy but was penalized {1-Point}
for a 'low-blow'.

The Cincinnati boxer got back to boxing, and Ezzard swept the next 3-Rounds {5, 6 and 7}, by using fast left-hooks
and 'quick' 2-Punch combinations on the slower Bivins.

But Bivins came back 'charging' in Rounds 8 and 9, as he 'jarred' Charles with right-upperucts to the jaw and head,
to close the Points gap on the Scorecards.

Ezzard again went back to boxing-and-countering during Round 10, as Bivins came forward by winging with a solid
right-hands late in the session.

After 10-Rounds, the 'UPI" had the bout scored > 6-3-1 in Rounds for Ezzard Charles.

Charles continued with his good boxing in Round 11, and won the session by jabbing-and-countering, while staying
outside and away from Bivins' heavy-hands.

Not to be discouraged, Bivins was able to get inside in Round 12, and worked at the body, sending Charles into the
Ropes and covering up while he delivered his right-uppercuts.

The last 3-Rounds were fought with both fighters at Center-Ring in a 'head-to-head' trading exchange. Though
Jimmy Bivins was the harder-hitter, Ezzard Charles landed with more volume, and more than held his own with
the Cleveland brawler.

Scorecards
* Referee - Ernie Sesto ....... 144-141 > Ezzard Charles
* Judge - Alvin Williams ...... 145-141 > Ezzard Charles
* Judge - Willie Davies ........ 144-142 > Ezzard Charles

* UPI ....... 144-142 = {8-5-2 in Rounds} > {Ezzard Charles}

Ezzard Charles the greatest light heavyweight ever. Who could beat him at the weight?

Here it is.

The next day's top of the page headlines {Novermber 13, 1946}.

~ Ezzard Charles 'Wallops' Jim Bivins ~

http://img2.newspapers.com/img/thumb....jpg?cs=604800

Ezzard Charles

'10' Junior Heavyweight Title Defenses

* February 17, 1947 ........... KO 5 ................ Oakland Billy Smith
* March 10, 1947 ............... KO 4 ................ Jimmy Bivins
* May 5, 1947 .................... W Maj. Dec 15 .. Archie Moore
* September 23, 1947 ........ KO 2 ................. Lloyd Marshall
* December 2, 1947 ........... TKO 4 ............... Fitzie Fitzpatrick

* January 13, 1948 ............. KO 8 ................ Archie Moore
* May 7, 1948 .................... KO 9 ................. Elmer Ray
* September 13, 1948 ........ W Dec 15 .......... Jimmy Bivins
* December 10, 1948 ......... TKO 11 ............. Joe Baksi

* February 28, 1949 .......... W Maj. Dec 15 ... Joey Maxim

* June 22, 1949 > Ezzard Charles 'vacates' Junior Heavyweight Title to challenge Heavyweight Champion - Jersey Joe Walcott

After ~ Ezzard Charles 'vacated' the Junior Heavyweight Title on June 2, 1949

The 'vacant' Championship was up for grabs on December 2, 1949

#1 ~ Roland LaStarza - 37-0-0 {16 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 185 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 6 months}
vs.
#2 ~ Cesar Brion - 25-2-0 {12 KO's} ~ 6' 2 1/2" ~ 188 lbs. ~ {Age; 24 years, 5 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Roland LaStarza has been the #1 Ranked Junior-Heavyweight since the beginning of 1949.

Cesar Brion, the 'massive' Argentinian has burst open the scene by winning '2' Elimination bouts
to earn a Title opportunity.

* October 5, 1949 ........... TKO 2 .... Tami Mauriello
* August 16, 1949 ........... KO 8 ....... Bernie Reynolds