The First 'Junior Heavyweight' Champion ~ Ezzard Charles

[Bill Paxtom]

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

[Bill Paxtom]

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