Rex Gessel Layne was an American heavyweight professional boxer. Sometimes termed the "Lewiston Larruper," Layne became a top contender in the early 1950s, although he never fought for the heavyweight title. Despite this he notched victories over many top rated boxers of his era, including heavyweight champions Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott.

Ezzard Mack Charles, known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion, known for his slick defense and precision. Often regarded as the greatest light heavyweight of all time, Charles defeated numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles retired with a record of 95-25-1. He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.