Historian Bob Mee looks back on the glorious career the legendary Ezzard Charles who was born on July 7, 1921 . Go ringside for a look at Ezzard Charles (Ezz) legendary boxing career and what it takes to be one of the greatest fighters ever. American boxer "Ex-Heavyweight Champ's Calling Card Was Perseverance: Walcott Dead at 80." Miami Beach Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Baroudi died of injuries sustained in the fight. In 1968, Ezz was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Cobra frequently trained in Cincinnati Parks and other community spaces. East Side Boxing. After a brilliant amateur boxing career, Charles turned pro in 1940 and went on to win twenty consecutive fights in the first eighteen months of the decade. But the Queen City celebrated their first-ever heavyweight champion with fanfare and a parade. Opportunity. He won over boxers like Jimmy Bivins, Teddy Randolph, Joe Kahut, Archie Moore and Lloyd Marshal in the light heavyweight divisions. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. The greatest overall compatibility with Cancer is Capricorn and Taurus. Ezzard Charles, in full Ezzard Mack Charles, (born July 7, 1921, Lawrenceville, Georgia, U.S.died May 28, 1975, Chicago, Illinois), American world heavyweight boxing champion from September 27, 1950, when he outpointed Joe Louis in 15 rounds in New York City, to July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Jersey Joe Walcott in 7 rounds in Pittsburgh. I learned much about Uncle Mike Jacobs, Louis chief powerbroker, as well as figures from the National Boxing Association and International Boxing Commission, organisations which ruled the boxing roost at that time. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Before a sold-out crowd of 18,000, Walcott suckered Louis with a right-hand lead and then dropped him with a left hook in the very first round. With a perfect, Moore, Archie Everything that Charles had been before the Bivins fight he was again: fast, powerful, hungry and indefatigable Moore, as good as he was, and as cagey and strong as he was, never stood a chance.. Greatness is often overlooked in its own time. The two faced off on June 22, 1949. Baroudi died of the injuries he sustained in this bout. Jersey Joe returned to boxing with a vengeance, winning eight of his nine bouts in 1945, three of them against top ten fighters Joe Baski, Lee Murray, and Curtis Sheppard. The baby from His two stirring battles with Marciano are regarded as ring classics. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). It belonged to professional boxer Ezzard Charles, who became Heavyweight Champion in 1949 and retained the title until 1951. The family didnt own a Bible in which to record the birth dates of each of their kids, which was the custom in those parts, so they kept a record by making notches on the trunk of an oak tree that sat on their property. McKenna Brooks Email: info@ccatsober.org The political finagling to arrange title shots in those days is similarly well sketched, and if you think Don King was reptilian, reading the sections which cover the immediate aftermath of Joe Louis championship reign is truly eye-opening. A chilling 1973 commercial showed Charles in his wheelchair horribly disabled by ALS. Fight crowds, writes Dettloff, liked blood and guts and gory displays of violence. Louis had given them crushing knockouts and awesome displays of raw power; Charles was a pugilist of a different stripe. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/charles-ezzard, Salzman, Linda "Charles, Ezzard Encyclopedia.com. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes: Ezz was a boxing champ and beloved father. See Photos. 1913-1998 Dinner and cards with his crew to pass time, listen to jazz records. Ezzard Charles. The Cincinnati Cobra defended his title four times until falling to Walcott in a championship rematch. And if Charles managed to pull out a win? "[12], In 2007, ESPN online ranks Ezzard Charles as the 27th greatest boxer of all time, ahead of such notable fighters as Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes and Jake LaMotta. American boxer A hardscrabble life awaits: his father William departs when he is just five, not to be seen again for two decades, and after this the future heavyweight king is raised mostly by his wizened grand- and great-grandmothers in Cincinnati's tough West End, in "a rundown, three-room frame house supported by bricks at the corners." Like many boxers, financial problems forced Charles to continue fighting, losing 13 of his final 23 fights. The quick knockout was never his objective. Walcott continued to live in the Camden area after leaving boxing. "Obituary: Jersey Joe Walcott." To boxing fans, he was known as The Cincinnati Cobra, a well known fighter because he would become the cities only Heavyweight Boxing Champion. As an amateur boxer in the featherweight divisions, he had a perfect 42-0 record, and started his pro career defeating the future Hall of Famer Archie Moore . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Georgia state education spending was at about $43 per white student in 1930, and only $10 per black student in the states public school system. Ezzs skill in the ring was just one jewel in the crown of his legacy. signage and Cincinnati Cobra Badges located near points of interest. Walcott died at the age of 80 on February 25, 1994, in Camden, N.J. His visits to Lawrenceville, were brief after the move north to Cincinnati and then to Chicago after that, but he did feel confident enough to visit Lawrenceville again briefly in 1949, as both a war vetern and the champ, most likely to visit family. Mee, Bob. [9] He was buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. "Jersey Joe Walcott: 1914-1994." Although acknowledgedand often grudingly praisedas one of the finest boxers ever to hold the heavyweight title, Ezzard Mack Charles somehow was never able to capture in addition the glamour and unrestrained idolatry that often accompany boxing's most coveted goal. Referee Ruby Goldstein agreed, observing, "Walcott punched his ears off." In the first of two losing efforts against Marciano in 1954, Charles achieved his highest moment of recognition. Charles also winds up boxing for the Army in inter-allied tournaments throughout Europe, enjoying predictable success. Yet he himself was the victim of the onepunch knockout, in July, 1951, when he lost his title to Jersey Joe Walcott in the seventh round at Pittsburgh. http://www.cyberenet.net/~kelta/jerseyjoe.html (October 25, 2002). Donnell was an avid music collector. A rematch three months, later, when Charles had not fully recovered from his previous battering, resulted in a eightround knockout by Marciano and an effective end to Charles's championship aspirations. Boxer Ezzard Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Dettloff describes it as a calculated risk: Overlin had so much more experience than Charles that he was expected to win. (February 23, 2023). After winning his first away fight in Pittsburgh against Charley Burley, the reporters asked him to stay for some questions, but Ezz declined, I cant, Ive got my high school graduation tomorrow.. When I was a little boy wed take the bus to the shopping plaza at 35th (Chicago) and Id always run to the back of the bus. Your email address will not be published. Just over three months later, however, Rocky Marciano knocked out Walcott in the 13th round to take the heavyweight title. https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/walcott-jersey-joe, Amerman, Don "Walcott, Jersey Joe See the estimate, review home details, and search for homes nearby. Whos the richest Boxer in the world? He started to train by himself in a young age. Ezz had lots of people in his corner: Do something kind for a friend or someone in your family. Amerman, Don "Walcott, Jersey Joe Matthews, Wallace. Ezzard Charles, 53, Dies; Held Heavyweight Title, https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/29/archives/ezzard-charles-53-dies-held-heavyweight-title-glamour-eluded-him.html. http://www.njboxinghof.org/cgi-bin/henryseehof.pl?286 (October 25, 2002). Just after his second defeat by Marciano, Walcott announced his retirement from boxing. His son, Ezzard Charles II on his visit to Gwinnett for the induction at CoolRay Field was quoted as saying of his fathers childhood, That time in our nation was tough on African-Americans. Outside of the ring, Ezzard also had owned several night clubs, played bass with the eras top jazz performers, even sitting in for a session one night with the legendary Duke Ellington. He also loses, to slick and crafty Kid Tunero, and to Jimmy Bivins and Lloyd Marshall, the latter two defeats later avenged. Although his purses totaled $2million while he was winning 96 of 122 bouts from 1940 to 1959, Charles had the misfortune to gain the title upon the 1949 retirement of Joe Louis, one of boxing's most popular champions. His legacy of goodwill still thrives throughout the West End and Cincinnati to this day. Muhammad Ali said in his own autobiography: "Ezzard Charles was a truly great fighter and champion. Music really spoke to his soul. The 1920s represented an era of change and growth. He went on to win the Boxing Heavyweight Title and carried it from 1949 to 1951. His professio, 1954- All of it was made possible with the $275,000 raised by Cincinnati parks, donors, and residents in the West End . Notable Sports Figures. Nobody gave any credit to Ezzard. Hall of Fame boxing champion who fought frequently in the heavyweight division and earned titles in all three different weight divisions. Ezzards education details are not available at this time. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. It is a city of fights and fighters, of hockey and heroes, of broken dreams and immortal glory, a city unlike any other. As a tribute to fellow Cincinnatian and friend, jazz great George Russell composed an album called Ezz-thetics, based on Ezzs boxing style. . His grandmother raised him to be an honest, good-hearted man. "Joe Walcott." In 1987 he was named the ninth greatest heavyweight of all time by The Ring. [2], Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. To honor Ezzs legacy, CPF leveraged the statue project into a vibrant revitalization of the entire Laurel Park as a gift to Ezzs family and to the residents of the West End. All the same, his buddies push him into sparring with the great Joe Louis, who is touring bases in the area and conducting boxing exhibitions. It all adds up to a fascinating boxing biography, one of the most exhaustively researched Ive come across. ft. house located at 6618 Ezzard Charles Ln, Houston, TX 77091 sold on Sep 21, 2020 after being listed at $191,000. It is to Dettloffs credit that Charles upbringing is framed in the proper historical context: The year Charles was born, there were sixty-three documented lynchings of blacks in the United States. Charles eventually moved up in weight class and became the heavyweight champion from 1949 until 1951. Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life. Rocky Marciano in particular called Charles the bravest man he ever fought. ." Marciano pointed out the lack of appreciation that had dogged Charles, especially in his fight against Louis. It wasn't Ezzard's fault. Although heavyweight was mostly a happy hunting ground for the preternaturally gifted Charles, he was an unpopular figure among fans who remained loyal to the great Joe Louis. The Moon represents one's nurturing and emotional instinct. Between 1943 and 1951, a truly stacked era, Charles loses just once, an unpopular split decision to veteran heavyweight and lethal puncher Elmer Ray, a defeat which he avenges by knockout a year later. Four times during that period, he squared off against one of the ten top-ranked fightersAl Ettore in 1936, Tiger Jack Fox in 1937 and 1938, and Abe Simon in 1940in his weight class, only to lose every match. He had won 15round decisions from Walcott two times earlier. Known as the Cincinnati Cobra, Ezz worked his opponents with a combination of lightning-fast technique and quick, powerful punches. Find Ezzard Charles School test scores, student-teacher ratio, parent reviews and teacher stats. After knocking out Joe Baksi and Johnny Haynes, Charles won the vacant National Boxing Association Heavyweight title when he outpointed Jersey Joe Walcott over 15 rounds on June 22, 1949. Or, I couldnt have told you much more prior to reading William Dettloffs excellent biography of the man, Ezzard Charles: A Boxing Life, the first publication of its kind, a shocking fact given Charles standing. Shortly after winning his rematch with Walcott, Louis announced his retirement from the ring. Charles fought a young contender named Sam Baroudi, knocking him out in Round 10. Philadelphia Tribune (March 4, 1994). In the first bout, held in Yankee Stadium on June 17, 1954, he valiantly took Marciano the distance, going down on points in a vintage heavyweight bout. Once more details are available, we will update this section. Charles lost his heavyweight title on July 18, 1951, when he was knocked out by Joe Walcott in the seventh round of their third fight. GreatSchools is the leading nonprofit providing high-quality information that supports parents pursuing a great education for their child, schools striving for excellence, and communities . It wasnt Ezzards fault. Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. A rematch in Philadelphia the following year saw Charles take an impressive lead on points, but squander it (and the decision) through conservative tactics. The deafening applause was proof that in the minds of the spectators anyway Walcott had succeeded. Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. Newsmakers Interview with Ezzard Charles Jr., WKRC Channel 12, Cincinnati, August 17, 2008, Newsmakers interview with Ezzard Charles Jr., WKRC Channel 12 Cincinnati, August 17, 2008, "On This Day: Ezzard Charles, one of the greatest fighters of all-time, was born", "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees", The Champ: County to honor legendary boxer Charles today, "1970's Muscular Dystrophy Commercial with Ezzard Charles", "Ezzard Charles, boxing's 'Quiet Tiger,' dies at 53", "IBRO'S 25 Greatest Fighters of All Time", "The Greatest Light Heavyweights of All Time", NBA World Heavyweight Title Fights - BoxRec, NYSAC World Heavyweight Title Fights - BoxRec, Cincinnati History Library and Archives -- Ezzard Charles, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ezzard_Charles&oldid=1137572597, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers, Sportspeople from the Atlanta metropolitan area, Woodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio) alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 09:59. The man told Ezzard he owned 365 suits, one for each day of the year. From 1940 to 1959 Charles fought 122 bouts, winning 96, of which 58 were by knockout. Research genealogy for Charles Ezzard of Brampton, Hampshire, England, as well as other members of the Ezzard family, on Ancestry. Not long thereafter, he stopped in one day at Battling Mac's Gym in Camden, New Jersey, where he soon became a regular, sparring with some of the fighters who called the gym home. The former boxer spent his last days in a nursing home. Walcott won a match in Sweden against Ollie Tandberg and once again hinted at retirement. I looked across the ring, and I could tell that Louis thought he had lost the fight. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. We will continue to update information on Ezzard Charless parents. In the predominantly Black neighborhood of the West End, a hub of successful businesses and budding community, Ezz had a solid foundation to make his way up in the world. He won his next five matches before losing, on November 16, 1933, in a rematch with Henry Taylor in Philadelphia. Kelta's Kavern. The year, 1921. He was born Ezzard Mack Charles on July 7, 1921, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Salvation came in the form of Felix Bocchicchio, a Camden area sports club owner and gambler. As we know, this early setback does little to deter the gifted Ezzard Charles, and his evolution as a boxer is well documented as he carves out a reputation as one of the best young prospects in America. Charles won the title in a fifteen-round decision on June 22, 1949. He had simply come along at a time when a bloodhungry public couldnt appreciate him. Ezz Fest occurs on Cincinnatis official Ezzard Charles Day, honoring his legacy with a free community celebration in Laurel Park featuring boxing demonstrations, jazz music, art and fashion displays, and family-friendly crafts. http://www.ibhof.com/walcott.htm (October 25, 2002). As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. To succeed in life, Ezzard Charles (Ezz) always said that youve got to have a plan. But if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing., See the article in its original context from. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Montreal is The Fight City. He died on May 27, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Ezzard Mack Charles (July 7, 1921 - May 28, 1975), known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion. Despite this stain on his reputation, Walcott will forever stand as an inspiration to dreamers everywhere that perseverance can pay off. In 1938, he won the Diamond Belt Middleweight Championship. support his family. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Discover what happened on this day. Post World War. People who are born with Moon as the ruling planet are sensitive, nurturing, and usually have fluctuating moods. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. I did my best. ." But the two judgesFrank Forbes and Marty Monroegave the fight to Louis. The lack of communication/feedback with parents and zero follow up & follow through from administrative staff is truly mind blowing. He was born June 13, 1973 in Saginaw, MI to Jacqueline Marie Blaylock and Ezzard Charles Mack. Charles is the only man ever to last the full 15-round distance against Marciano. Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. People just didn't want to see Louis lose. - 27 May 1975) ( his death) ( 3 children) Ezzard Charles Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. This is what people never understood about fighters, even the very young ones: that a quiet young kid with nice manners who ran from fights in the street could, in the right circumstance, swallow all his fear and shame and stand up for himself like he mattered.. Charles started his career as a featherweight in the amateurs, where he had a record of 420. The following year, Charles failed in an attempt to recapture the title from Walcott, who lost it barely three months later to Rocky Marciano. We encourage you to research and examine these records to . Research genealogy for Ezzard Charles of New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, USA, as well as other members of the Charles family, on Ancestry. No matter the reason for Cinnicinnti, there was a list a mile long of reasons to get out of Georgia. Ezzard Charles was born on July 7, 1921 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. He turned professional in 1940, knocking out Melody Johnson in the fourth round. Ezzard Charles was born in Lawrenceville, United States. Ezzard Charles was born on July 7, 1921. [13], In 2009, Boxing magazine listed Ezzard Charles as the greatest Light Heavyweight fighter ever, ahead of the likes of Archie Moore, Bob Foster, Michael Spinks and Gene Tunney.[14]. Walcott lost a 15-round decision to Charles and promptly announced his retirement. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1985. Half of the voters had him in the top 15. American boxer He died in 1973. He bought food and coal for Walcott's family, got the boxer's license renewed, and finally persuaded Walcott to give it a try. And one which illuminates the essence of the sport while sympathetically documenting the life of one of its cleverest exports, with searing passages describing the lure of the Fancy. Name three heroes in your life. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. In 1966 he was stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease that before long confined him to a wheelchair. Bocchicchio offered to manage Walcott, who at first refused, saying, "Fighting never got me nothin' before, and all I want now is a steady job, so my wife and kids can eat regular. Charles was instead a cool ring tactician who was content to outpoint his opponents or to wear them down through a profusion of punches. He was also very mild mannered with a gentle air . From poor beginnings in the Jim Crow South to the top of the boxing world and beyond, Ezz overcame adversity throughout his life leaving a legacy of honor, dignity, respect, and generosity that still thrives to this day. He coasted through the final four rounds and lost the chance to become the first man to regain the heavyweight championship. American boxer In 1951, Charles fought Walcott a third time and lost the title by knockout in the seventh round. Jefferies, Eddie. Again, Bocchicchio persuaded him to continue boxing. And right there in Charles hometown, the judges gave Overlin the win, just as they should have.. It was as if he had lost. Given the dearth of material available on Charles, save for sepia-toned back issues of fight magazines and grainy contest footage, these early passages of the biography offer a wonderful insight into his formative years and what made him tick. Remaining a top contender with wins over Rex Layne, Tommy Harrison and Coley Wallace, Charles knocked out Bob Satterfield in an eliminator bout for the right to challenge Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. However, if pressed I could not tell you much more than this: that Charles famously beat Joe Louis during the latters ill-advised comeback and that he is touted by many knowledgeable scholars of the game as, pound-for-pound, one of the greatest pugilists in boxing history. When he was a child, his family moved to Cincinnati, where he became interested in boxing. He was born Raymond Arnold Cream in Merchantville, New Jersey, on January 31, 1914. The book is an engaging portrait of a marvellous pugilist who wreaked havoc in the ring but beyond the ropes remained humble, honourable, hard-working and all the other things you wanted your kid to be when you sent him off into the world. In other words, a man apart from mobbed-up figures like Blinky Palermo and Frankie Carbo, prominent fixtures in the Golden, but shady, Age. The research which has clearly gone into this work is enjoyably evident, as when Dettloff informs us that young Ezzards zen for the sporting life was ignited after he encountered the great Kid Chocolate, in town to face Cleveland-based journeyman Johnny Farr: We learn about Ezzards idolizing of Joe Louis, and his amateur success in Ohio under the tutelage of diminutive Welshman and World War I veteran Bert Williams, who nurtures his aggressive, fast-handed, fearless style, and plenty more besides. [6] In their September rematch, Charles landed a severe blow that actually split Marciano's nose in half. He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990. single-family home with a list price of $350000. New York Times, May 29, 1975, p. 38. Rust, Art, Jr., and Edna Rust. . But then his family moved to Cincinnati when he was very young. A dresser to the nines, he had impeccable style and was a talented tailor. Dettloff makes sure were aware that in many cases Charles had to overcome significant size disadvantages to have his hand raised. It turned into a title match after the New York State Athletic Commission ruled that any match of more than six rounds with Louis had to be for the title. Sadly, his tenure in the latter position was marred by charges that he had taken bribes. Charles was a student of the sweet science Growing Up Born Ezzard Mack Charles in July 7 1921, into a life of poverty in Lawrenceville, Georgia, the Charles family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, which would later earn him his nickname 'The Cincinnati Cobra'. Ezz had a breakfast of dry cereal, prunes, and lamb chops.Orange juice or tea, no coffee. For his regular contributions to the community, Ohio Governor Frank Lasche presented Ezz with the Good Citizenship Award in 1954. He had a 42-0 record, with two Golden Glove Titles before embarking on a pro career that was interrupted by his service in World War II from 1944 and 1945 where he learned to speak Spanish and Italian. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. . Spectators were incredulous, applauding wildly for the plucky Walcott. . In the following years he fights and beats a succession of formidable middleweights and light heavyweights, champions and ex-titlists, including Teddy Yarosz, Anton Cristofiridis, Charley Burley, Booker Beckwith, Mose Brown and Joey Maxim. The year, 1921. I finally figured it out. Victories over future Hall of Famers Teddy Yarosz and the much avoided Charley Burley had started to solidify Charles as a top contender in the middleweight division. Independent (February 28, 1994). After fighting the disease for nearly a decade and becoming an advocate for ALS awareness, Ezz died on May 28, 1975, in Chicago. He started boxing in his teen years, winning 42 amateur fights and the Amateur Athletic Union national middleweight title before he graduated from Woodward High School in 1942.. Charles continued boxing until he was called to serve . 421 Oak Street, Cincinnati OH 4521, 513-861-0023 Blaylock, Donnell Our beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend Donnell Eugene Blaylock transitioned peacefully at home Sunday February 26, 2023 surrounded by family. It also earned them acclaim as the toughest men of their eras. Thanks to a collaboration between the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and go Vibrant, weve mapped out three Cincinnati Cobra Routes starting in Laurel Park the largest Cincinnati Park in the West End! Full-body sculpture of Ezzard Charles revealed to family | WKRC WINTON PLACE, Ohio (WKRC) - Ezzard Charles' son and namesake saw the full-body sculpture of his father for the first time. For more programs and events to enjoy, go tocincinnatiparksfoundation.org. In the second fight, Marciano knocked out the former champ in eight rounds, securing his seat atop the heavyweight division. To personalize his new name, he added "Jersey," to signify the state of his birth. Ezzard delivers a baby. "Time Tunnel: Jersey Joe Walcott; The Long, Long Journey." Over the next several years, Walcott fought in dozens of matches, winning most of them but losing occasionally.
ezzard charles parents
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