Fritzie Zivic

Fritzie Zivic (May 8, 1913 in Pittsburgh, United States – May 16, 1984), born as Ferdinand Henry John Zivcich (Croatian: Živčić, known to boxing fans as Fritzie Zivic, “The Croat Comet”), was an American boxer who held the world welterweight championship from October 4, 1940, until July 29, 1941.

Biography

Zivic was born to immigrant parents; his father was Croatian, his mother Mary Kepele was Slovenian. As a young man, he followed the example of his elder brothers. These five brothers were known as the "Fighting Zivics". Referring to his youth in the Ninth Ward of Lawrenceville, Zivic later said, "You either had to fight or stay in the house. We went out." He started with fighting professionally in October 1931 as a featherweight (at the age of 18). By 1936 he was ranked among the top ten welterweights. In 1940 Zivic beat Sammy Angott to earn a shot at the welterweight title. He upset the great Henry Armstrong on October 4, 1940 in a 15-round decision at Madison Square Garden to take the welterweight title. He won the rematch with Armstrong in January 1941, but lost in his next defense, to Freddie Cochrane in 15 on July 29, 1941. His last fight was in January 1949 (at the age of 36).