Fritzie Zivic
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Fritzie Zivic (May 8, 1913, Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh, PA, May, 16 1984) , born as Ferdinand Henry John Zivcich (Croatian: Živčić, known to boxing fans as Fritzie Zivic, “The Croat Comet.”
His father was a Croatian immigrant, his mother, Mary Kepele was Slovenian.
As a youngman, he followed the example of his elder brothers. These five brothers were known as "Fighting Zivics".
He started with pro-bouts in October 1931 (at the age of 18) and last fight was in Jan 1949 (at the age of 36).
Fritzie became the best known when on October 4, 1940 he battered Henry “Hammering Hank” Armstrong at Madison Square Garden, when he took the title of World Welterweight Championship. Fritzie held the title for the next eight months, when he lost the fight with Red Cochran after 15 rounds, on Jul 29, 1941, in Newark, NJ.
Although his fighting tactics were very dirty (thumbing the opponents in the eye or punching in banned areas), he was also known by that he always - apologized for that to his opponent.
After ending his career, he had his own boxing school.
He died of Alzheimer's disease, after long fight.
Career record: 158-64-9 (80 KO's)
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