7. Fritzie Zivic 158-65-9, 82 KOs
Photo by NY Daily News Archives/Getty Images
Birthplace: Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania
Professional Career: 1931-1949
Ferdinand Henry John Zivicic was one of five brothers and born to a Croatian father and Slovenian mother on May 8, 1913 just about a year before the outbreak of World War 1, Death Valley hit a scorching 135 degrees and New York’s Grand Central Station reopened as the world’s largest train station.
John Zivic began professionally turning opponent’s faces red, white, black and blue at the age of 18 in Pittsburgh with a first-round stoppage of Al Rettinger. He continued fighting at a pace of about once per month, sometimes more for the duration of his 18 year career.
“The Croat Cornet” was prone to his own loose interpretation of the rules often employing the gloves laces and thumbs as well as his own head and elbows to maximize the damage to his rival. Even if they were able to escape with a victory, it would not come without a price. Interestingly, Zivic was often known to apologize to his opponents for these indiscretions during the fight.
Zivic became the Welterweight champion of the world when the 4-1 underdog upset all-time great Henry Armstrong. In a close battle Zivic rallied and battered the champion furiously in the 15th round, nearly stopping him to secure the decision and claim the title.
In defense of his title Zivic repeated the feat, this time closing the show and stopping Armstrong in 12 at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.
Through his career, Zivic faced the very toughest fighters his era had to offer, often multiple times. Aside from Henry Armstrong he also took on such notables as Lou Ambers, Sugar Ray Robinson, Lew Jenkins, Billy Conn, Charley Burley, Jake LaMotta, Sammy Angott, Bob Montgomery and Beau Jack
Greatest rival: Zivic’s greatest rivalry was with Henry Armstrong against whom he won two of their trilogy. He also faced off with Jake LaMotta four times.
