Background
He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri and was sometimes known as Chillin" Charley.
He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri and was sometimes known as Chillin" Charley.
Charley Riley was a top featherweight boxing contender in the 1940s and 1950s. He lost via a one-punch body-shot knockout on February 22, 1946, but on April 30, 1947, evened the score with a 7th-round TKO of Terranova. On September 3, 1947, he scored a first-round TKO of Terranova.
Reports were that the referee stopped this fight on the advice of the ring doctor because Terranova was bleeding profusely.
Riley fought Willie Pep for the featherweight championship in Street Louis January 16, 1950 and was knocked out by Pep by a body punch in the fifth round. He put pressure on Saddler in the first part of the fight but faded in the later rounds.
During his career Riley also faced Glen Flanagan, Jackie Graves, Corky Gonzalez, George Araujo, Juan Padilla, Redtop Davis, and Ray Famechon. Riley retired in 1954 with a record of 67 wins (38 by knockout) 29 losses, and 1 draw.
He was also known as the "Finney Avenue Fashion Plate" for his attention to dress.
(Finney Avenue is an address in Street Louis).