Carmine Barone, 79; Fought for Heavyweight Boxing Title in 1950

Carmine “Nick” Barone, 79, who fought Ezzard Charles for the world heavyweight boxing title in 1950, died Sunday in Syracuse, N.Y. The cause of death was not announced.

Barone, known as “the Fighting Marine,” compiled a 47-11-1 record, mainly as a ranked contender in the light-heavyweight division.

Barone’s most famous fight came as a heavyweight Dec. 5, 1950, when he faced Charles in the champion’s hometown of Cincinnati. It was Charles’ first defense of the title he took from Joe Louis three months earlier.

Charles was heavily favored, but Barone lasted until the 11th round, when he suffered the first knockdown of his career. He got up, but the referee stopped the fight.

“Before the Charles fight, he fought Jimmy Beau in a main event at Madison Square Garden. He won a 10-round decision, but Beau damaged his left eye. He fought Charles with one eye,” a friend, Don Hamilton, told the Post-Standard of Syracuse. Barone hid the injury from doctors.

Barone fought just five times after meeting Charles and lost four of those bouts.

A native of Syracuse, Barone took his older brother’s birth certificate and enlisted in the Marines at the age of 16. He fought in World War II and saw action at Iwo Jima.