Charles Adkins (Boxer)

Charles " Chuck" Adkins (* April 27, 1932 in Gary, Indiana, † July 8, 1993 ) was an American boxer. It was 1952, the first Olympic champion in the light welterweight.

Boxing career

Charles Adkins won the 1949 U.S. Championships in the lightweight, beating James Folk, Elmer Lakatos, John Biancaniello, William Hazel and Johnny Aguilar. In 1952, he represented the U.S. at the 15th Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki, where he ( to 63.5 kg) was launched in the newly created light welterweight. There he defeated in the first round Leif Hansen from Norway by co in the first round, in the second round Salomon Carrizales from Venezuela 3-0 on points, in the quarterfinals Alexander Webster from South Africa 3-0 in the semifinals Bruno Visintin of Italy 3-0. In the final, he met Victor Mednow from the Soviet Union. In the first sport historically occupied clash between boxers from the U.S. and the Soviet Union, Adkins could prevail 2-1 on points, becoming the first Olympic champion in this weight class.

In 1953 he became a professional and played 22 fights, including 17 wins and 5 losses. He finished his career in 1958 after a knockout loss in the first round against Eddie Perkins.