One
can say Zeke Wilson has been a fighter all his life. He was born in St.
Helena Island, SC in 1957, the same year President Dwight Eisenhower
passed the CIvil Rights Act.
Ezekiel
“Zeke” Wilson was the seventh of eighth children raised by a single
mom, and so Zeke learned at a very young age that hard work and
perseverance were two of the most important qualities needed to move
forward in life.
Zeke
played football for St. Helena Junior High School and Beaufort High
School, and though he was proficient in the sport, he wanted more. He
remembered watching a TV sports telecast, showing Joe Frasier about to
fight Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Something
then clicked for Zeke and instantly took an interest in boxing.
So
he got to work. The next day he chopped down three trees for posts,
dragged them home, set two in the ground and then tied the third across
the top. Hanging from the top was a pair of old jeans filled with sand,
and thus he created his homemade punching bag.
One
day, a man saw Zeke jogging home from work. He stopped Zeke and asked
him, “Zeke, what are you doing?” Zeke answered, “Just working out.” The
man soon became Zeke’s first boxing manager.
After
practicing and honing his skills, at 16 years old Zeke Wilson took on
his first true opponent in a boxing match in Savannah, GA at the
National Guard Armory. Zeke was matched with Golden Glove and State
Boxing Champion. The night before the match, Zeke asked his momma, “What
if I lose?” She encouraged him, saying, “As long as you do your best,
you can't lose, God will give you what you need.”
When the time to fight came, Zeke knocked out his opponent in the first 10 seconds of the first round.
After
graduating high school, Zeke moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He
lived with his sister Frenisee, his Uncle Rufus and Aunt Jenna. Zeke was
able to make it onto the Joe Frazier boxing team and spent time as his
sparring partner.
Wilson’s
book, The Eighth Round, is a true story based his life and the legal
battle, which became known as Wilson V. McClure, that became the federal
precedent for all legal findings of same race discrimination.
Under
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 of the United States, it is illegal to
discriminate against a person or persons because of the color of their
skin, their national origin, or racial composition.
The
story involves a common man who found himself faced with racial
discrimination, specfically same race discrimination. It tells of his
struggle and triumph, involving important and timely social issues
raised through the misuse of authority by both black and white
government officials.
Though
these events happened years ago, they are very relevant today. The
Eighth Round is the perfect book to read in this day and time as the
fight for civil rights continues on. Order The Eighth Round and
experience it for yourself!
Order The Eighth Round Book Today at www.theeighthroundstar.com and receive a signed copy along with an autographed picture from the author!
Zeke Wilson’s True Life Story!
Zeke Wilson, Same Race Productions
#: 843-929-9402
See Zeke Wilson on WTOC 11: https://www.wtoc.com/2020/06/16/retired-savannah-boxer-wins-legal-fight/
WHHI-TV:
The Logan Power Show: (1:25-12:50)
Gullah Geechee Nation:
