06/16/1951 - Ezzard Charles

Although Charles was widely recognized as the main Heavyweight World champion with the NBA AND THE RING  There was still some dispute as to who was the main Heavyweight Champion of the world.  This soon sorted itself out.

Soon after Joe Louis retired in 1949 the IBU sanctioned a bout between British Champion Bruce Woodcock and American Lee Savold for its version of the Title.  Due to a series of unfortunate events the fight did not happen until 1950.  meanwhile Charles had already picked up the NBA and The Ring and was widely known as the main champion after defeating Jersey Joe Walcott.  The Savold v Woodcock did eventually  take place June 1950 for the vacant IBU title.  In September of the same year Ezzard Charles defeated Joe Louis to add the NYSAC version to his NBA.  September 1950 Joe Louis defeated the IBU Champion Savold via 6th round KO.  As Charles had just defeated Louis the IBU withdrew its recognition that Savold was Champion and proclaimed Charles as Champion ending any dispute that Charles was the Heavyweight champion of the world and also the man that beat the man in Joe Louis.