Who was Fritzie Zivic?

[Rock0052]

I was checking out Boxrec, and randomly came across this fighter. His final record was 157-65, hardly world beating if one just goes by numbers- even if you consider many of those happened at the end of his career. However, looking through his resume, he also beat both Henry Armstrong twice (one of only 2 fighters to KO Armstrong, and he nearly did it both times) and Jake Lamotta.

So, my question to the classic fight experts is this: Who was Zivic, and what kind of fighter was he?

[McGrain]

World class ATG welter and self proclaimed second dirtiest fighter of all time.

Straight backed and with a good jab he could box or brawl. Heavy handed. Tough as teak.

[janitor]

Very cerebral fighter. Always came up with a superb fight plan which took away his oponents game. God help you if you fouled him because he would foul you back far more efectively.

Would be a dangerous oponent for any welterweight that ever lived.

[KTFO]

First class journeyman.

[janitor]

First class journeyman.

Go back and learn a bit about him.

[Joe E]

Former Welter Champ.Once wrote a book entitled "Ya gotta fight dirty"

[jonesjrp4p1]

he was a very dirty fighter who used his thumb to try and blind the other fighter.....i dont like him but pretty good fighter

[Rock0052]

Thanks for the info, I like finding out more on the "obscure" great fighters :good

[hobgoblin]

self proclaimed second dirtiest fighter of all time.

:lol:

to whom did he feel #2?

[McGrain]

:lol:

to whom did he feel #2?


Harry Greb.

Zivic on Greb: If you lifted your foot of the floor, Greb would bite you on the sole of you foot.

[Jack Dempsey]

Part of a great boxing family, his brother Pete wasn't too bad either

[salsanchezfan]

Billy Conn praised him highly in the book "In This Corner." Said fighting Zivic ten rounds was like a college education in fighting. He'd try any damn thing on you, Conn said. Absolutely filthy fighter.

[Minotauro]

Came from a family of fighters was very popular in Pittsburg his home town and dethroned Armstrong and beat him even worse in the rematch. Even holds a win over LaMotta. Would give any welterweight a tough time used everything he could in a fight. His record does not do him justice many of his loses came at the end of his career.

Heres a pic of him and Conn after their fight
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[KTFO]

Go back and learn a bit about him.


I know enough about him. More than you could bear. You wouldn't wanna hear all the truth,teenie boy.

[janitor]

I know enough about him. More than you could bear. You wouldn't wanna hear all the truth,teenie boy.

Not wishing to be inpertinent but if you think Fritzie Zivic was just a high grade journeyman then you know next to nothing about him.

[Tommy Hearns]

Fritzie Zivic was a master craftsmen of his era, as well as a throwback rough and tumble fighter of the highest order. He knew every trick in the book as well as a few out of Greb’s; his self declared best punch was a left hook to the “you know where”. Win or lose, one thing was certain fighting a primed and ready Zivic; you weren’t walking out of the ring unmarked. After wholly battering and ending Armstrong’s reign as welterweight champion, a reporter likened Hank’s face to an “oozing hamburger”.

janitor is right in praising Zivic as a strategist; against the naturally larger LaMotta, Zivic turned to his jab in the rematch to earn him a decision. A large part of the first Armstrong victory also had to do with Zivic’s precise punching toward the scar tissue around Henry’s eyes.

A definite threat at 147.

[rodney]

A "Great" fighter.
Read about him.
Todays welters do not compare.
If would have had a chance to fight him,
they would be in for the fight of the lives.
In the ring or on the pavement.

[mightyd40]

A "Great" fighter.
Read about him.
Todays welters do not compare.
If would have had a chance to fight him,
they would be in for the fight of the lives.
In the ring or on the pavement.
zivics a good fighter but i think u are underestamting todays welters a little.......years from now a lot of our welters will be remembered as great fighters and most of them could beat zivic, his dirty tactics wouldnt slide as easily in todays world either

[Pete47]

Fritzie Zivic won also won a fight against the great Charlie Burley (1938). But Charlie won the rematch a few months later.