Quote Originally Posted by X
Controversially, even though he never won a world title at the weight, I reckon Ezzard Charles was the best light-heavy who ever lived.

At the time, LH was a graveyard division, with no big names and no big purses - that's why there were many smaller guys fighting at heavyweight than at the light-heavy limit. The great Archie Moore was soundly beaten by Charles on a number of occasions and I also think that the Cincinnati Cobra gave Marciano all the problems that he could handle in their first fight.

We talk a lot abut people like Larry Holmes being underrated, but Ezzard was cruelly underrated as a heavyweight (never mind a light-heavy!!)
Just watched the Charles-Marciano 1 again last night on ESPN Classic. Charles hung in there like a true warrior. Rocky was a bit too much, but I don't underestimate Ezzard.One of the best ever. Especially since I'm from Cinci.