Tony Zale

Tony Zale, Anthony Florian Zaleski actually, (* May 29, 1913 in Gary, Indiana, † March 20, 1997 in Portage, Indiana ) was an American boxer of Polish origin in the middleweight division.

Career

The "Man of Steel", Zale initially worked as a steelworker, in 1934 pro. He was at the beginning of his career with little success and cashed in the first years repeatedly defeats. But with characteristic toughness and solid punch he progressed gradually. In 1939 he played a balanced series of four battles against world class man Nate Bolden.

In 1940, he beat the world champion Al Hostak, one of the most powerful boxer in the history of the middleweight division, only in a non-title bout on points and a half years later, on July 19, 1940, even early in the battle for the NBA champion middleweight title.

In 1941, he boxed against Billy Pryor before more than 135,000 spectators. After his victory against NYSAC title holder Georgie Abrams on 28 November 1941, he was then widely recognized as the undisputed middleweight world champion.

Opposite the famous light heavyweight Billy Conn, he lost in 1942 only on points. After this defeat, he joined the U.S. Navy and denied in the next four years no fight.

After the end of World War II, he returned in 1946 and was back in the ring despite the inactivity continues long recognized middleweight world champion. As a result, three of his most famous fights should take place, the duels with Rocky Graziano in the years 1946, 1947 and 1948. He won the first match, but lost the second fight, and thus his title. He became only the second middleweight Stanley Ketchel after, who won the middleweight title twice by his victory over Graziano 1948.

In his next fight, however, he was against Marcel Cerdan at a loss, was outclassed and was KO. He then ended his career. The fights with Graziano 1946 and 1947, as well as against Cerdan 1948 each awarded the " Ring Magazine " to the " Fight of the Year ".

In 1991, he was inducted into the " International Boxing Hall of Fame"