Fritzie Zivic

Fritzie Zivic ( born May 8, 1913 in Pittsburgh as Ferdinand Henry John Zivcich ( Živčić ), † 16 May 1984) was an American boxer.

He had a Croatian father, a Slovenian mother and four older brothers, all boxed and as "Fighting Zivics " were known. He became professional in 1931, but was only moderately successful at the beginning of his career with his " Wühlstil ". So he lost from 1935 to 1936 eight times in a row, but almost always only on points. Towards the end of the year he punched the first time a well-known man, he narrowly lost on points against Billy Conn, who also came from Pittsburgh.

In 1938 he beat the highly respected Charley Burley, again a local rivals, but lost the rematch just like the decision duel in 1939.

But by beating Kid Azteca and the lightweight Sammy Angott he moved on to the world class. In 1940 he won the welterweight world title against the legendary Henry Armstrong, who until then had lain down a spectacular winning streak.

Nevertheless, he was known only to a small extent by his success, he was notorious but especially by its unfair method of fighting. Virtually every fight was full of headbutts, low blows, elbows and punches in the eye of the opponent holding the thumb. He also beat his opponents with intention on the eyes which, although not against the rules, but is unusual. He is regularly voted the dirtiest boxer boxing history, even before Eusebio Pedroza.

Ironically, was disqualified after his title win against Al Davis in this first battle, when he completely lost his composure for a foul by Zivic and responded with a series of their own fouls. Against Lew Jenkins Zivic boxed a draw in a rematch he won by KO. In the rematch against Armstrong in January 1941 he succeeded even a technical knockout. In the second duel with Davis he had a premature success.

But in 1941 he lost his title against Freddie Cochrane and could never win him back. This was also the fact that another superstar with Sugar Ray Robinson, who never lost welterweight, then was under construction and struck him twice, once by knockout.

Armstrong also could beat him in 1942 in a third encounter, just like the light weight Beau Jack. Against the middleweight Jake LaMotta, he won once and lost three times, the light weight of Bob Montgomery was defeated as well as the world premiere Tommy Bell.

1949 ended his career Zivic. He died in 1984 from Alzheimer 's disease.

In 1993 Zivic induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.