Fritzie Zivic

American boxer

Fritzie Zivic (May 8, 1913 – May 16, 1984), born as Ferdinand Henry John Zivcich , was an American boxer who held the world welterweight championship from October 4, 1940, until July 29, 1941. His managers included Luke Carney, and later, after 1942, Louis Stokan.

Zivic was born the youngest son of immigrant parents; his father was Croatian, his mother, Mary Kepele was Slovenian. As a young man, he followed the example of his four elder brothers, who boxed, and became known as the "Fighting Zivics". His brothers Pete and Jack, the first and second born, went to the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. Referring to his youth in the rough, tribal, and crowded Ninth Ward of Lawrenceville, Zivic later said, "You either had to fight or stay in the house. We went out."

Against one of his most skilled early opponents, Zivic defeated Charley Burley, fellow Pittsburgh boxer, for the only time on March 21, 1938, in their hometown. Characteristic of Zivic's later boxing, he dominated the in fighting. Burley started well, but in the later rounds, the more experienced Zivic scored with rights hooks to the midsection and pulled Burley in during clinches to reduce Burley's long range game. In two other meetings, in June 1938, and July 1939, Zivic lost in ten round unanimous decisions. Conn showed more energy, and footwork, and in the later rounds his long, punishing left scored consistent points against Zivic in long range fighting. Conn, at 6' 2", enjoyed around two inches of reach advantage over Zivic, which he used more frequently in later rounds. The bout included no knockdowns but in the fourth and fifth rounds, Zivic caught Conn on the ropes and belted him about head and body til it appeared a knockout was a possible outcome. From the sixth to the tenth, Conn fought more from a distance and in the eighth and ninth boxed brilliantly, using feints and footwork and his long, solid left. Zivic went to the body with hooks and crosses but failed to fatigue Conn who fought on and gained points. In an action packed tenth, Zivic first went inside and fought toe to toe with Conn, eventually getting him against the ropes, but Conn went back to boxing at long range and removed some of the loss in points he had suffered during the infighting, keeping the round close. Zivic defeated Johnny Jadick, former junior welterweight champion, on February 11, 1937 in a six round knockout at Duquesne Garden in Pittsburgh. In a decisive victory, Zivic had Jadick down for a nine count in the first round, but let up some in the next three. He put Jadick down again at the end of the second for a count of five, before the bell sounded. Jadick took the count of ten from a blow by Zivic, 1:16 into the sixth round. Zivic had previously lost to Jadick in a ten round points decision in Washington in February 1935. On January 20, 1939, Zivic defeated Jackie Burke, former holder of the Utah's Intermountain Welterweight Title, and Pacific Southwest Welterweight Title, in a ten round mixed decision at the St. Louis Coliseum. Uppercuts to the head of Burke during the frequent infighting determined the outcome of the fight, and though both boxers got in telling blows, there were no knockdowns. In a close bout, the referee scored 51 to 49 for Zivic, and though one judge scored a draw, the remaining judge scored 53 47 in Zivic's favor. He notably defeated Sammy Angott, reigning NBA lightweight champion, in a non title bout on August 29, 1940, in a ten round unanimous decision at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. The bout was part of an elimination match to determine who would face Henry Armstrong for his world welterweight title. Zivic took the last six of the ten rounds. According to Zivic later, his purse of $3,200 for the win, was the largest he had yet received. According to Zivic's account, the first bout with Armstrong included questionable tactics and fouls. Zivic claimed Armstrong started out fighting that way, noting, "Henry's givin' me the elbows and the shoulders and the top of the head, and I can give that stuff back pretty good, but I don't dare to or maybe they'll throw me out of the ring." By the seventh round, Zivic had had enough, and began responding in kind. At least one source noted that the referee, aware of the rough fighting that could be called as fouls gave up, and allowed the combatants to fight using whatever methods they were comfortable with, barring obvious fouls.

In his most memorable victory, he won the world welterweight title rematch with Hank Armstrong in a twelfth round technical knockout, at Madison Square Garden, on January 17, 1941. It was the first knockout ever registered against Armstrong in his stellar career as a multiple weight class champion. The impressive crowd of 23,190 fans, considered the largest indoor crowd ever to see a professional boxing match, witnessed Armstrong, the former welterweight champion, nearly helpless when the referee called the match 52 seconds into the twelfth round. As early as the first round, Zivic jabbed easily at Armstrong's open face, and then looped in uppercuts. The United Press gave Armstrong only the third and the eleventh. In the third, Armstrong was able to stagger Zivic briefly with hard hooks to the head. As the bout wore on, Armstrong tired badly, and was continuously the victim of Zivic's short uppercuts, which snapped back his head. He was down in the sixth for a no count from a right uppercut by Zivic. In the eighth, the referee stopped to examine the cuts on Armstrong caused by the battering he took in the round. Armstrong made a valiant effort in the eleventh with a barrage of hooks to the head and body of Zivic, allowing him to take the round. Armstrong caught Zivic in a corner and battered him with short jarring blows and then landed a right to the face, but it was a last valiant effort. The ring doctor examined Armstrong after the round ended, and allowed him to continue, but the referee stopped the fight in the twelfth when Zivic lashed his left repeatedly at the face of Armstrong.

Zivic lost his world welterweight title in a fifteen round decision against Red Cochran before 10,000 fans on July 29, 1941 at Rupert Stadium in Newark, NJ. Cochrane effectively threw left hooks to the belly against the straight rights of Zivic. He butted Zivic with his head, when Zivic attempted to illegally put an arm around his neck to hammer him with his left. In a back alley brawl type of fighting, Cochrane threw a left hook into Zivic's groin after he claimed to have been continuously thumbed in the eye by Zivic, though the resulting penalty call gave the round to Zivic. Zivic's late comeback attempt in the final five rounds was not overlooked by the press, as many considered him obtaining more points in each of the last five rounds. The referee gave Cochran seven rounds, four to Zivic, and four even, with the single judge scoring the same. The United Press, however gave six rounds to each boxer, with three as draws. Most believed Cochrane's ability to force the fighting throughout and land more telling blows made him deserve the close decision. Immediately after his loss of the title, on September 15, 1941, Zivic achieved a fifth round knockout of Milt Aaron in the feature match at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field, before an appreciative hometown audience of 24,972 fans. As Aron was trying to exit a corner of the ring, Zivic knocked him out with a bolo punch, a crossing right hand smash to the jaw, 1:58 into the fifth. Typical of Zivic's rough style of boxing, he excelled in the infighting in the first four rounds. Zivic had previously lost to Aron in an eight round knockout on December 27, 1939. In the exciting match, Aron was down three times in round two, but Aron put Zivic down once in the seventh. After taking a beating in the eighth, Zivic uncorked a terrific right that caught Zivic squarely on his jaw putting him down, then sealed the deal after he got up with a left and right on the chin for the count.

He lost to the great Sugar Ray Robinson, a future Hall of Famer, on January 16, 1942 in a tenth round technical knockout before 15,745 fans at Madison Square Garden. Robinson used blinding speed in the opening rounds to overwhelm Zivic. He took the sixth with sharp lefts, but Zivic clearly won the seventh with hooks to the midsection. Robinson dropped Zivic with a long right overhand smash late in the ninth, and floored him with a two fisted attack in the tenth. Zivic was trying to get to his feet at the count of six, but the referee stopped the bout 31 seconds into the round before he could fully rise. In what was scored as a close bout, the Associated Press gave Robinson five of the nine, while Zivic took three and one was even. It was only the second time Zivic had been stopped before the end of a bout. Impressively, for Robinson, it was his twenty seventh straight win, with twenty one via knockout. Zivic defeated Italian boxer "Izzy" Anthony Jannazzo on March 9, 1942, leaving Janazzo unable to return to the ring for the fifth round at Duquesne Gardens in Pittsburgh. Zivic swarmed all over Jannazzo in the first, closing Jannazzo's eye in the second, and firing at it in the third and fourth, till Januzzo, unable to see, failed to answer the fifth round bell. A skilled middleweight, Jannazzo had contended for the world welterweight title against Barney Ross in November 1936 at Madison Square Garden. On April 13, 1942, Zivic defeated Jewish Canadian boxer Maxie Berger, former holder of the Montreal Athletic Commission's Junior World Welterweight Title, in a ten round points decision at Duquesne Gardens in Pittsburgh. A crowd of 5,000 watched Zivic knock Berger to the canvas a total of seven times, over the fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth. Berger rallied in the tenth to keep he round even in scoring. Berger's toughest round was the sixth when he was down for counts of nine, eight, and two. In the fourth, Berger was hit by a low right from Zivic, and changed to more defensive tactics afterward, which reduced the slight points advantage he may have held in the first three rounds. With the exception of the seventh, the fifth through the eighth were all Zivic's who gained a strong lead in points. He defeated Lew Jenkins, a 1940 world lightweight champion, on May 25, 1942, before 12,134 fans, in a decisive ten round technical knockout in Pittsburgh. With sharp, rapid two fisted punching, Zivic carved Jenkins' face severely, connecting often. His ripping rights and left hooks opened two old cuts on Jenkins' face early in the bout. After the ninth, a ring doctor refused to allow a badly battered and bleeding Jenkins to return to the ring for the tenth round. Though not officially considered knockdowns, five times in the second, sixth, and eighth rounds, Jenkins spun around and fell to the canvas. He had drawn with Jenkins on December 20, 1940 in a ten round points decision at the fabled Madison Square Garden. Zivic had lost to Jack two months earlier on February 5, 1943, and though Beau was a 3 1 favorite, Zivic had nearly come out ahead of the twelve round decision before an impressive 21,240 at Madision Square Garden. A low blow in the eighth round made by Zivic cost him the round in the close bout and caused some controversy. The Associated Press gave five rounds to Jack, four to Zivic, and one even. If not for the foul call against Zivic in the eighth, the AP scoring would have been a draw, though the official ring judges considered Jack the victor by a slightly larger margin.

He defeated the great Jake LaMotta only once in a fifteen round split decision in Pittsburgh on July 12, 1943 before a crowd of 15,562. LaMotta at twenty, ten years younger than Zivic, rushed and landed clean blows throughout the bout, but Zivic scored with his signature left jab, and retained his strength till the tenth round, when he opened up on LaMotta with frequent blows. In the fifth and sixth, Zivic scored well with his left, but was behind in the early rounds, particularly taking a beating in the first. The boxers appeared to fight cautiously realizing the power of their opponent. Zivic had dropped a bout in the previous month to LaMotta in a ten round split decision, another close bout in Pittsburgh. Zivic lost in two other meetings, one in January 1944, despite LaMotta losing two rounds from low blows, and one in November 1943 in a relatively close bout in Madison Square Garden. Zivic lost to reigning NYSAC world lightweight champion Bob Montgomery on August 23, 1943 in a non title, ten round unanimous decision at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. In a decisive loss, the referee and one judge scored eight rounds for Montgomery, two for Zivic, though the second judge gave only five rounds to Montgomery with three to Zivic, and two even. Before a respectable crowd of 10,000, in a ten round split decision on June 26, 1944, Zivic lost to 1946 world welterweight contender black boxer Tommy Bell, who had to come from behind to take Zivic in the closing rounds. Zivic was serving as a Private in the Army Air Corps, and had been away from the ring for three months. In the opening rounds, Bell was schooled by Zivic, who made him constantly miss and dominated at close quarters. The referee and one judge gave only two rounds to Zivic, but the Associated Press saw differently, scoring four for Bell with only three for Zivic with three even. Bell, a quality opponent who would challenge Robinson for the world welterweight title in 1946, made his thirty eighth consecutive win with the victory. While still in the Army, Zivic defeated Billy Arnold on January 5, 1945 in a convincing eight round mixed decision at Madison Square Garden before an impressive house of 16,923. Zivic, now a Corporal, took a points lead with upper cuts, short hooks, and basic brawling, and dominated the infighting. Zivic staggered Arnold in the third, fifth and eighth. He never challenged for a world title after 1941, but from 1941 to 1946, he fought the great boxers Sugar Ray Robinson, Beau Jack, Tommy Bell, Billy Arnold, Jake LaMotta, and Freddie Archer. In all, he met seven future Hall of Famers and nine world champions. His career record was 158 64 9, with 80 knockouts.

Although his fighting tactics included thumbing his opponents in the eye, using his knees or elbows as weapons after a punch, or punching in banned areas, he was also known for apologizing for his tactics to his opponent. "He had a body like a wire, a mind like a chess player, a quick wit and a splendid smile." Zivic served in the Army Air Corp during the end of WWII, being stationed for a time at San Antonio's Normoyle Field, where he continued his boxing schedule in Texas and the Southwest. He attempted a wide range of professions starting with promoting, and managing boxers. Between the mid 1950s and mid 1960s, he worked in a steel mill, sold wine, whiskey and beer, bartended, worked as a disc jockey, and labored on a county work crew. He eventually settled into his profession as a steel fabricator or boilermaker with a union card, and got steady work in construction.

"You're boxing, you're not playing the piano."

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column. No. (Number)ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes233Win157–65–9 Eddie SteeleUD10Jan 17, 1949232Win156–65–9 Al ReidPTS10Jan 12, 1949231Draw155–65–9 Eddie SteelePTS10Oct 28, 1948230Loss155–65–8 Kid AztecaKO5 (10)Feb 1, 1947229Loss155–64–8 Clyde GordonUD9Jan 8, 1947228Win155–63–8 Bobby BrittonUD10Dec 10, 1946227Loss154–63–8 Pete MeadPTS10Dec 6, 1946226Loss154–62–8 Ralph ZannelliPTS10Dec 2, 1946225Draw154–61–8 Jimmy McGriffPTS10Nov 18, 1946224Loss154–61–7 Al MobleyPTS8Nov 12, 1946223Win154–60–7 Russell WilhiteTKO5 (10)Oct 29, 1946222Loss153–60–7 Tommy LemmonSD10May 27, 1946221Loss153–59–7 California Jackie WilsonUD10May 14, 1946220Win153–58–7 Joey MartinezRTD8 (10)May 1, 1946219Loss152–58–7 Howard BleyhlPTS10Apr 29, 1946218Win152–57–7 Don LeeUD10Apr 18, 1946217Win151–57–7 Lincoln StanleyPTS10Apr 12, 1946216Draw150–57–7 Manuel Villa IMD10Apr 5, 1946215Loss150–57–6 Tony ElizondoUD10Mar 26, 1946214Win150–56–6 Levi SouthallNWS10Mar 19, 1946213Loss150–56–6 Aaron PerryPTS10Feb 25, 1946212Loss150–55–6 O'Neill BellUD10Feb 1, 1946211Loss150–54–6 Al PriestUD10Jan 15, 1946210Loss150–53–6 Cecil HudsonUD10Dec 10, 1945209Loss150–52–6 Joe CurcioPTS10Nov 13, 1945208Loss150–51–6 Freddie ArcherUD10Nov 2, 1945207Loss150–50–6 Joe ReddickSD10Oct 20, 1945206Win150–49–6 Billy DeegPTS10Sep 18, 1945205Loss149–49–6 Paul AltmanPTS10Sep 12, 1945204Loss149–48–6 Bill McDowellPTS10Jul 16, 1945203Loss149–47–6 Ossie HarrisSD10Jul 10, 1945202Loss149–46–6 Rueben ShankSD10Jul 3, 1945201Loss149–45–6 Harold GreenUD10Jun 22, 1945200Win149–44–6 Baby ZavalaKO4 (10)Jun 12, 1945199Win148–44–6 Pat SaiaUD10May 8, 1945198Win147–44–6 Kid AztecaMD10May 7, 1945197Win146–44–6 Manuel Villa IKO8 (10)Apr 3, 1945196Win145–44–6 Benny EvansTKO8 (10)Mar 22, 1945195Win144–44–6 Bill McDowellUD10Mar 6, 1945194Win143–44–6 Kid EstradaKO2 (6)Feb 22, 1945193Win142–44–6 Billy ArnoldMD8Jan 5, 1945192Win141–44–6 Kid AztecaMD10Dec 12, 1944191Win140–44–6 Manuel Villa IKO6 (10)Nov 29, 1944190Win139–44–6 Chuck HirstKO5 (10)Nov 14, 1944189Win138–44–6 Pat SaiaTKO8 (10)Oct 18, 1944188Loss137–44–6 Tommy RomanUD10Oct 16, 1944187Win137–43–6 Artie DorrellTKO7 (10)Sep 26, 1944186Win136–43–6 Felix MoralesKO2 (10)Sep 12, 1944185Win135–43–6 Pete DeRuzzaTKO8 (10)Aug 1, 1944184Loss134–43–6 Tommy BellSD10Jun 26, 1944183Loss134–42–6 Freddie ArcherPTS10Mar 29, 1944182Win134–41–6 Harry TeaneyPTS10Mar 24, 1944181Loss133–41–6 Jake LaMottaUD10Jan 14, 1944180Win133–40–6 Ossie HarrisKO10 (10)Jan 3, 1944179Loss132–40–6 Ralph ZannelliUD10Dec 20, 1943178Loss132–39–6 Jake LaMottaSD10Nov 12, 1943177Win132–38–6 Bobby RichardsonUD10Oct 29, 1943176Loss131–38–6 Jose BasoraUD10Oct 15, 1943175Win131–37–6 Vinnie VinesKO1 (10)Sep 10, 1943174Loss130–37–6 Bob MontgomeryUD10Aug 23, 1943173Win130–36–6 Young Kid McCoyTKO4 (10)Aug 9, 1943172Win129–36–6 Jake LaMottaSD15Jul 12, 1943171Loss128–36–6 Jake LaMottaSD10Jun 10, 1943170Win128–35–6 Johnny RoszinaTKO8 (10)Apr 30, 1943169Loss127–35–6 Beau JackUD12Mar 5, 1943168Win127–34–6 Mayon PadloPTS10Feb 16, 1943167Loss126–34–6 Beau JackUD10Feb 5, 1943166Win126–33–6 Carmen NotchUD10Dec 15, 1942165Loss125–33–6 Sheik RangelPTS10Nov 16, 1942164Loss125–32–6 Henry ArmstrongUD10Oct 26, 1942163Win125–31–6 Tito TaylorPTS10Oct 13, 1942162Win124–31–6 Johnny WalkerUD10Sep 21, 1942161Win123–31–6 Freddie CochraneUD10Sep 10, 1942160Win122–31–6 Garvey YoungTKO6 (10)Aug 13, 1942159Win121–31–6 Norman RubioTKO9 (10)Jul 27, 1942158Loss120–31–6 Norman RubioPTS10Jun 29, 1942157Win120–30–6 Bobby BrittonTKO4 (10)Jun 22, 1942156Win119–30–6 Rueben ShankPTS10Jun 4, 1942155Win118–30–6 Lew JenkinsTKO10 (10)May 25, 1942154Loss117–30–6 Reuben ShankUD10Apr 23, 1942153Win117–29–6 Maxie BergerPTS10Apr 13, 1942152Win116–29–6 Bill McDowellTKO6 (10)Mar 30, 1942151Win115–29–6 Izzy JannazzoRTD4 (10)Mar 9, 1942150Loss114–29–6 Tony MotisiUD10Feb 27, 1942149Win114–28–6 Raul CarabantesPTS10Feb 9, 1942148Loss113–28–6 Sugar Ray RobinsonTKO10 (12)Jan 16, 1942147Draw113–27–6 Young Kid McCoyPTS10Dec 12, 1941146Win113–27–5 Harry WeeklyTKO9 (10)Dec 1, 1941145Win112–27–5 Phil FurrUD10Nov 26, 1941144Loss111–27–5 Sugar Ray RobinsonUD10Oct 31, 1941143Win111–26–5 Milt AronKO5 (10)Sep 15, 1941142Loss110–26–5 Freddie CochranePTS15Jul 29, 1941141Win110–25–5 Johnny BarbaraUD12Jul 14, 1941140Win109–25–5 Al DavisTKO10 (12)Jul 2, 1941139Win108–25–5 Tony MartelianoUD10May 2, 1941138Loss107–25–5 Mike KaplanUD10Apr 18, 1941137Win107–24–5 Dick DemarayTKO5 (12)Apr 4, 1941136Win106–24–5 Felix GarciaKO2 (10)Mar 20, 1941135Win105–24–5 Saverio TurielloPTS10Mar 17, 1941134Win104–24–5 Henry ArmstrongTKO12 (15), Jan 17, 1941133Draw103–24–5 Lew JenkinsPTS10Dec 20, 1940132Win103–24–4 Ronnie BeaudinTKO3 (10)Nov 26, 1940131Win102–24–4 Al DavisDQ2 (10)Nov 15, 1940130Win101–24–4 Henry ArmstrongUD15Oct 4, 1940129Win100–24–4 Sammy AngottUD10Aug 29, 1940128Win99–24–4 Kenny LaSalleSD10Aug 5, 1940127Win98–24–4 Leonard BennettKO4 (10)Jul 22, 1940126Win97–24–4 Ossie HarrisPTS10Jul 8, 1940125Win96–24–4 Johnny RinaldiKO1 (10)Jun 24, 1940124Win95–24–4 Ossie HarrisKO3 (10)May 21, 1940123Loss94–24–4 Johnny BarbaraUD10May 7, 1940122Win94–23–4 Mansfield DriskellPTS10May 3, 1940121Loss93–23–4 Johnny BarbaraMD10Apr 8, 1940120Win93–22–4 Johnny BarbaraPTS10Mar 14, 1940119Win92–22–4 Saverio TurielloKO1 (10)Mar 4, 1940118Win91–22–4 Remo FernandezTKO7 (8)Feb 16, 1940117Win90–22–4 Mike KaplanSD10Jan 22, 1940116Loss89–22–4 Milt AronKO8 (10)Dec 27, 1939115Win89–21–4 Wicky HarkinsTKO9 (10)Dec 6, 1939114Win88–21–4 Billy LancasterTKO7 (8)Nov 18, 1939113Win87–21–4 Milo TheodorescuUD10Oct 30, 1939112Win86–21–4 Kid AztecaUD10Oct 24, 1939111Win85–21–4 Ralph GizzyKO2 (10)Sep 21, 1939110Win84–21–4 Pete DeRuzzaTKO6 (10)Sep 5, 1939109Loss83–21–4 Charley BurleyUD10Jul 17, 1939108Win83–20–4 Jackie BurkeUD10Jul 11, 1939107Win82–20–4 Kenny LaSalleSD10Jun 5, 1939106Win81–20–4 Al TrainoPTS10May 16, 1939105Loss80–20–4 Kenny LaSallePTS10May 9, 1939104Win80–19–4 Tiger Kid WalkerKO1 (10)Apr 20, 1939103Win79–19–4 Bobby BrittonUD10Mar 29, 1939102Win78–19–4 Nick PastoreTKO9 (10)Mar 20, 1939101Win77–19–4 Charlie BellKO3 (10)Feb 15, 1939100Win76–19–4 Eddie BookerPTS8Feb 10, 193999Win75–19–4 Jackie BurkeMD10Jan 20, 193998Draw74–19–4 Howell KingNWS10Dec 26, 193897Win74–19–4 Vince PimpinellaUD10Dec 8, 193896Win73–19–4 Al HamiltonKO5 (10)Nov 21, 193895Win72–19–4 Frankie BlairPTS8Nov 15, 193894Win71–19–4 Salvy SabanPTS10Oct 27, 193893Win70–19–4 Jay MacedonTKO5 (10)Oct 10, 193892Win69–19–4 Paul CortlynKO4 (10)Oct 3, 193891Win68–19–4 Bobby PachoPTS10Sep 13, 193890Win67–19–4 Mickey PaulKO1 (8)Aug 26, 193889Win66–19–4 Steve KahleyTKO3 (10)Aug 22, 193888Win65–19–4 Joe PenninoPTS8Aug 12, 193887Win64–19–4 Joe LemieuxTKO4 (10)Aug 2, 193886Win63–19–4 Phil FurrTKO3 (10)Jul 12, 193885Win62–19–4 Eddie ConleyKO6 (10)Jul 9, 193884Win61–19–4 Ercole BurattiKO4 (10)Jun 20, 193883Loss60–19–4 Charley BurleyUD10Jun 13, 193882Win60–18–4 Petey MikeKO1 (10)May 20, 193881Win59–18–4 Remo FernandezPTS10Apr 12, 193880Win58–18–4 Charley BurleySD10Mar 21, 193879Win57–18–4 Tommy BlandTKO8 (10)Mar 7, 193878Win56–18–4 Frankie BlairPTS10Feb 14, 193877Win55–18–4 Harold BrownPTS10Jan 7, 193876Loss54–18–4 Tommy BlandMD10Dec 25, 193775Win54–17–4 Jimmy ReillyKO2 (10)Nov 18, 193774Win53–17–4 Frankie PortlandKO2 (10)Oct 27, 193773Win52–17–4 Tony PetroskeyPTS10May 21, 193772Win51–17–4 Chuck WoodsPTS10Apr 6, 193771Win50–17–4 Bobby PachoSD10Mar 1, 193770Win49–17–4 Johnny JadickKO6 (10)Feb 11, 193769Loss48–17–4 Billy ConnSD10Dec 28, 193668Win48–16–4 Harry DublinskyTKO6 (10)Dec 2, 193667Win47–16–4 Gaston LeCadrePTS10Nov 9, 193666Win46–16–4 Chuck WoodsKO6 (10)Oct 16, 193665Win45–16–4 Johnny DursoKO2 (10), Oct 5, 193664Win44–16–4 Jackie McFarlandPTS10Sep 28, 193663Loss43–16–4 Cleto LocatelliUD10Aug 12, 193662Win43–15–4 Laddie TonielliTKO6 (10)Jul 30, 193661Win42–15–4 Mickey DurisPTS12Jul 22, 193660Win41–15–4 Laddie TonielliTKO4 (10)Jul 6, 193659Win40–15–4 Lou JallosTKO3 (10)Jul 2, 193658Win39–15–4 Al ManfredoPTS10Jun 17, 193657Win38–15–4 Tony FalcoTKO8 (10)Jun 9, 193656Win37–15–4 Billy CelebronKO1 (10), May 22, 193655Loss36–15–4 'Young' Gene BuffaloPTS10Apr 17, 193654Win36–14–4 Joe FloccoPTS10Apr 15, 193653Loss35–14–4 Chuck WoodsPTS10Feb 24, 193652Loss35–13–4 Joey FerrandoPTS8Jan 27, 193651Loss35–12–4 Eddie CoolSD10Jan 13, 193650Loss35–11–4 Billy CelebronUD10Dec 16, 193549Loss35–10–4 George SalvadorePTS6Oct 4, 193548Loss35–9–4 Tony HerreraSD10Sep 30, 193547Loss35–8–4 Joey FerrandoPTS10Aug 6, 193546Win35–7–4 Mike BartoPTS10Jul 29, 193545Win34–7–4 Jackie McFarlandUD10Jul 16, 193544Loss33–7–4 Lou AmbersUD10Jul 1, 193543Win33–6–4 Eddie AdamsRTD7 (10)May 21, 193542Win32–6–4 Sammy ChivasTKO3 (8)May 6, 193541Win31–6–4 Freddie ChynowethPTS8Apr 29, 193540Win30–6–4 Marty GornickRTD5 (10)Apr 15, 193539Win29–6–4 Dominic ManciniTKO11 (12), Apr 8, 193538Draw28–6–4 Dominic ManciniPTS10Apr 1, 193537Win28–6–3 Glafiro 'K. O.' CastilloUD10Mar 4, 193536Loss27–6–3 Johnny JadickPTS10Feb 18, 193535Loss27–5–3 Jimmy LetoUD10Feb 4, 193534Loss27–4–3 Laddie TonielliKO2 (8)Oct 26, 193433Win27–3–3 Harry CarltonPTS10Sep 27, 193432Win26–3–3 'Young' Joe FirpoPTS10Aug 18, 193431Win25–3–3 Eddie RanSD10Jul 2, 193430Win24–3–3 Luis CarranzaPTS4May 29, 193429Draw23–3–3 Phil RiosPTS6May 8, 193428Win23–3–2 Phil RiosPTS6Apr 30, 193427Draw22–3–2 Lloyd SmithPTS6Mar 6, 193426Win22–3–1 Perfecto LopezPTS6Feb 6, 193425Win21–3–1 Baby Sal SorioTKO2 (4)Jan 23, 193424Win20–3–1 Rudy AyonPTS4Dec 27, 193323Win19–3–1 Vincent MartinezPTS4Dec 15, 193322Draw18–3–1 Homer FosterPTS4Dec 4, 193321Win18–3 Don MillerTKO3 (4)Nov 23, 193320Win17–3 Gus VargasKO2 (4)Nov 3, 193319Win16–3 Joe PimentelKO4 (4)Oct 12, 193318Win15–3 Joey GrebPTS6Aug 7, 193317Win14–3 Don AstoTKO3 (6)Jul 10, 193316Win13–3 Don AstoUD6Jun 26, 193315Win12–3 Patsy HenniganPTS6Apr 28, 193314Win11–3 Eddie BrannonTKO6 (6), Apr 10, 193313Win10–3 Frank CarpenterTKO4 (6)Mar 27, 193312Win9–3 Steve SenichKO2 (4)Feb 8, 193311Win8–3 George SchleeRTD2 (6)Jan 30, 193310Win7–3 Billy CreganPTS4Dec 13, 19329Loss6–3 Jerry ClementsSD6Nov 18, 19328Win6–2 Terry WanerTKO3 (6)Oct 14, 19327Win5–2 Jim DorseyKO4 (6)Sep 26, 19326Loss4–2 Steve SenichMD6Jun 22, 19325Win4–1 'Young' LowstetterUD6Jun 9, 19324Win3–1 Elmer KozakTKO4 (6)Mar 4, 19323Win2–1 Paddy GilmoreKO4 (6)Jan 1, 19322Loss1–1 Steve SenichPTS6Nov 16, 19311Win1–0 Al RettingerTKO1 (6)Oct 5, 1931

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column. No. (Number)ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes233Win158–65–10 Eddie SteeleUD10Jan 17, 1949232Win157–65–10 Al ReidPTS10Jan 12, 1949231Draw156–65–10 Eddie SteelePTS10Oct 28, 1948230Loss156–65–9 Kid AztecaKO5 (10)Feb 1, 1947229Loss156–64–9 Clyde GordonUD9Jan 8, 1947228Win156–63–9 Bobby BrittonUD10Dec 10, 1946227Loss155–63–9 Pete MeadPTS10Dec 6, 1946226Loss155–62–9 Ralph ZannelliPTS10Dec 2, 1946225Draw155–61–9 Jimmy McGriffPTS10Nov 18, 1946224Loss155–61–8 Al MobleyPTS8Nov 12, 1946223Win155–60–8 Russell WilhiteTKO5 (10)Oct 29, 1946222Loss154–60–8 Tommy LemmonSD10May 27, 1946221Loss154–59–8 California Jackie WilsonUD10May 14, 1946220Win154–58–8 Joey MartinezRTD8 (10)May 1, 1946219Loss153–58–8 Howard BleyhlPTS10Apr 29, 1946218Win153–57–8 Don LeeUD10Apr 18, 1946217Win152–57–8 Lincoln StanleyPTS10Apr 12, 1946216Draw151–57–8 Manuel Villa IMD10Apr 5, 1946215Loss151–57–7 Tony ElizondoUD10Mar 26, 1946214Win151–56–7 Levi SouthallNWS10Mar 19, 1946213Loss150–56–7 Aaron PerryPTS10Feb 25, 1946212Loss150–55–7 O'Neill BellUD10Feb 1, 1946211Loss150–54–7 Al PriestUD10Jan 15, 1946210Loss150–53–7 Cecil HudsonUD10Dec 10, 1945209Loss150–52–7 Joe CurcioPTS10Nov 13, 1945208Loss150–51–7 Freddie ArcherUD10Nov 2, 1945207Loss150–50–7 Joe ReddickSD10Oct 20, 1945206Win150–49–7 Billy DeegPTS10Sep 18, 1945205Loss149–49–7 Paul AltmanPTS10Sep 12, 1945204Loss149–48–7 Bill McDowellPTS10Jul 16, 1945203Loss149–47–7 Ossie HarrisSD10Jul 10, 1945202Loss149–46–7 Rueben ShankSD10Jul 3, 1945201Loss149–45–7 Harold GreenUD10Jun 22, 1945200Win149–44–7 Baby ZavalaKO4 (10)Jun 12, 1945199Win148–44–7 Pat SaiaUD10May 8, 1945198Win147–44–7 Kid AztecaMD10May 7, 1945197Win146–44–7 Manuel Villa IKO8 (10)Apr 3, 1945196Win145–44–7 Benny EvansTKO8 (10)Mar 22, 1945195Win144–44–7 Bill McDowellUD10Mar 6, 1945194Win143–44–7 Kid EstradaKO2 (6)Feb 22, 1945193Win142–44–7 Billy ArnoldMD8Jan 5, 1945192Win141–44–7 Kid AztecaMD10Dec 12, 1944191Win140–44–7 Manuel Villa IKO6 (10)Nov 29, 1944190Win139–44–7 Chuck HirstKO5 (10)Nov 14, 1944189Win138–44–7 Pat SaiaTKO8 (10)Oct 18, 1944188Loss137–44–7 Tommy RomanUD10Oct 16, 1944187Win137–43–7 Artie DorrellTKO7 (10)Sep 26, 1944186Win136–43–7 Felix MoralesKO2 (10)Sep 12, 1944185Win135–43–7 Pete DeRuzzaTKO8 (10)Aug 1, 1944184Loss134–43–7 Tommy BellSD10Jun 26, 1944183Loss134–42–7 Freddie ArcherPTS10Mar 29, 1944182Win134–41–7 Harry TeaneyPTS10Mar 24, 1944181Loss133–41–7 Jake LaMottaUD10Jan 14, 1944180Win133–40–7 Ossie HarrisKO10 (10)Jan 3, 1944179Loss132–40–7 Ralph ZannelliUD10Dec 20, 1943178Loss132–39–7 Jake LaMottaSD10Nov 12, 1943177Win132–38–7 Bobby RichardsonUD10Oct 29, 1943176Loss131–38–7 Jose BasoraUD10Oct 15, 1943175Win131–37–7 Vinnie VinesKO1 (10)Sep 10, 1943174Loss130–37–7 Bob MontgomeryUD10Aug 23, 1943173Win130–36–7 Young Kid McCoyTKO4 (10)Aug 9, 1943172Win129–36–7 Jake LaMottaSD15Jul 12, 1943171Loss128–36–7 Jake LaMottaSD10Jun 10, 1943170Win128–35–7 Johnny RoszinaTKO8 (10)Apr 30, 1943169Loss127–35–7 Beau JackUD12Mar 5, 1943168Win127–34–7 Mayon PadloPTS10Feb 16, 1943167Loss126–34–7 Beau JackUD10Feb 5, 1943166Win126–33–7 Carmen NotchUD10Dec 15, 1942165Loss125–33–7 Sheik RangelPTS10Nov 16, 1942164Loss125–32–7 Henry ArmstrongUD10Oct 26, 1942163Win125–31–7 Tito TaylorPTS10Oct 13, 1942162Win124–31–7 Johnny WalkerUD10Sep 21, 1942161Win123–31–7 Freddie CochraneUD10Sep 10, 1942160Win122–31–7 Garvey YoungTKO6 (10)Aug 13, 1942159Win121–31–7 Norman RubioTKO9 (10)Jul 27, 1942158Loss120–31–7 Norman RubioPTS10Jun 29, 1942157Win120–30–7 Bobby BrittonTKO4 (10)Jun 22, 1942156Win119–30–7 Rueben ShankPTS10Jun 4, 1942155Win118–30–7 Lew JenkinsTKO10 (10)May 25, 1942154Loss117–30–7 Reuben ShankUD10Apr 23, 1942153Win117–29–7 Maxie BergerPTS10Apr 13, 1942152Win116–29–7 Bill McDowellTKO6 (10)Mar 30, 1942151Win115–29–7 Izzy JannazzoRTD4 (10)Mar 9, 1942150Loss114–29–7 Tony MotisiUD10Feb 27, 1942149Win114–28–7 Raul CarabantesPTS10Feb 9, 1942148Loss113–28–7 Sugar Ray RobinsonTKO10 (12)Jan 16, 1942147Draw113–27–7 Young Kid McCoyPTS10Dec 12, 1941146Win113–27–6 Harry WeeklyTKO9 (10)Dec 1, 1941145Win112–27–6 Phil FurrUD10Nov 26, 1941144Loss111–27–6 Sugar Ray RobinsonUD10Oct 31, 1941143Win111–26–6 Milt AronKO5 (10)Sep 15, 1941142Loss110–26–6 Freddie CochranePTS15Jul 29, 1941141Win110–25–6 Johnny BarbaraUD12Jul 14, 1941140Win109–25–6 Al DavisTKO10 (12)Jul 2, 1941139Win108–25–6 Tony MartelianoUD10May 2, 1941138Loss107–25–6 Mike KaplanUD10Apr 18, 1941137Win107–24–6 Dick DemarayTKO5 (12)Apr 4, 1941136Win106–24–6 Felix GarciaKO2 (10)Mar 20, 1941135Win105–24–6 Saverio TurielloPTS10Mar 17, 1941134Win104–24–6 Henry ArmstrongTKO12 (15), Jan 17, 1941133Draw103–24–6 Lew JenkinsPTS10Dec 20, 1940132Win103–24–5 Ronnie BeaudinTKO3 (10)Nov 26, 1940131Win102–24–5 Al DavisDQ2 (10)Nov 15, 1940130Win101–24–5 Henry ArmstrongUD15Oct 4, 1940129Win100–24–5 Sammy AngottUD10Aug 29, 1940128Win99–24–5 Kenny LaSalleSD10Aug 5, 1940127Win98–24–5 Leonard BennettKO4 (10)Jul 22, 1940126Win97–24–5 Ossie HarrisPTS10Jul 8, 1940125Win96–24–5 Johnny RinaldiKO1 (10)Jun 24, 1940124Win95–24–5 Ossie HarrisKO3 (10)May 21, 1940123Loss94–24–5 Johnny BarbaraUD10May 7, 1940122Win94–23–5 Mansfield DriskellPTS10May 3, 1940121Loss93–23–5 Johnny BarbaraMD10Apr 8, 1940120Win93–22–5 Johnny BarbaraPTS10Mar 14, 1940119Win92–22–5 Saverio TurielloKO1 (10)Mar 4, 1940118Win91–22–5 Remo FernandezTKO7 (8)Feb 16, 1940117Win90–22–5 Mike KaplanSD10Jan 22, 1940116Loss89–22–5 Milt AronKO8 (10)Dec 27, 1939115Win89–21–5 Wicky HarkinsTKO9 (10)Dec 6, 1939114Win88–21–5 Billy LancasterTKO7 (8)Nov 18, 1939113Win87–21–5 Milo TheodorescuUD10Oct 30, 1939112Win86–21–5 Kid AztecaUD10Oct 24, 1939111Win85–21–5 Ralph GizzyKO2 (10)Sep 21, 1939110Win84–21–5 Pete DeRuzzaTKO6 (10)Sep 5, 1939109Loss83–21–5 Charley BurleyUD10Jul 17, 1939108Win83–20–5 Jackie BurkeUD10Jul 11, 1939107Win82–20–5 Kenny LaSalleSD10Jun 5, 1939106Win81–20–5 Al TrainoPTS10May 16, 1939105Loss80–20–5 Kenny LaSallePTS10May 9, 1939104Win80–19–5 Tiger Kid WalkerKO1 (10)Apr 20, 1939103Win79–19–5 Bobby BrittonUD10Mar 29, 1939102Win78–19–5 Nick PastoreTKO9 (10)Mar 20, 1939101Win77–19–5 Charlie BellKO3 (10)Feb 15, 1939100Win76–19–5 Eddie BookerPTS8Feb 10, 193999Win75–19–5 Jackie BurkeMD10Jan 20, 193998Draw74–19–5 Howell KingNWS10Dec 26, 193897Win74–19–4 Vince PimpinellaUD10Dec 8, 193896Win73–19–4 Al HamiltonKO5 (10)Nov 21, 193895Win72–19–4 Frankie BlairPTS8Nov 15, 193894Win71–19–4 Salvy SabanPTS10Oct 27, 193893Win70–19–4 Jay MacedonTKO5 (10)Oct 10, 193892Win69–19–4 Paul CortlynKO4 (10)Oct 3, 193891Win68–19–4 Bobby PachoPTS10Sep 13, 193890Win67–19–4 Mickey PaulKO1 (8)Aug 26, 193889Win66–19–4 Steve KahleyTKO3 (10)Aug 22, 193888Win65–19–4 Joe PenninoPTS8Aug 12, 193887Win64–19–4 Joe LemieuxTKO4 (10)Aug 2, 193886Win63–19–4 Phil FurrTKO3 (10)Jul 12, 193885Win62–19–4 Eddie ConleyKO6 (10)Jul 9, 193884Win61–19–4 Ercole BurattiKO4 (10)Jun 20, 193883Loss60–19–4 Charley BurleyUD10Jun 13, 193882Win60–18–4 Petey MikeKO1 (10)May 20, 193881Win59–18–4 Remo FernandezPTS10Apr 12, 193880Win58–18–4 Charley BurleySD10Mar 21, 193879Win57–18–4 Tommy BlandTKO8 (10)Mar 7, 193878Win56–18–4 Frankie BlairPTS10Feb 14, 193877Win55–18–4 Harold BrownPTS10Jan 7, 193876Loss54–18–4 Tommy BlandMD10Dec 25, 193775Win54–17–4 Jimmy ReillyKO2 (10)Nov 18, 193774Win53–17–4 Frankie PortlandKO2 (10)Oct 27, 193773Win52–17–4 Tony PetroskeyPTS10May 21, 193772Win51–17–4 Chuck WoodsPTS10Apr 6, 193771Win50–17–4 Bobby PachoSD10Mar 1, 193770Win49–17–4 Johnny JadickKO6 (10)Feb 11, 193769Loss48–17–4 Billy ConnSD10Dec 28, 193668Win48–16–4 Harry DublinskyTKO6 (10)Dec 2, 193667Win47–16–4 Gaston LeCadrePTS10Nov 9, 193666Win46–16–4 Chuck WoodsKO6 (10)Oct 16, 193665Win45–16–4 Johnny DursoKO2 (10), Oct 5, 193664Win44–16–4 Jackie McFarlandPTS10Sep 28, 193663Loss43–16–4 Cleto LocatelliUD10Aug 12, 193662Win43–15–4 Laddie TonielliTKO6 (10)Jul 30, 193661Win42–15–4 Mickey DurisPTS12Jul 22, 193660Win41–15–4 Laddie TonielliTKO4 (10)Jul 6, 193659Win40–15–4 Lou JallosTKO3 (10)Jul 2, 193658Win39–15–4 Al ManfredoPTS10Jun 17, 193657Win38–15–4 Tony FalcoTKO8 (10)Jun 9, 193656Win37–15–4 Billy CelebronKO1 (10), May 22, 193655Loss36–15–4 'Young' Gene BuffaloPTS10Apr 17, 193654Win36–14–4 Joe FloccoPTS10Apr 15, 193653Loss35–14–4 Chuck WoodsPTS10Feb 24, 193652Loss35–13–4 Joey FerrandoPTS8Jan 27, 193651Loss35–12–4 Eddie CoolSD10Jan 13, 193650Loss35–11–4 Billy CelebronUD10Dec 16, 193549Loss35–10–4 George SalvadorePTS6Oct 4, 193548Loss35–9–4 Tony HerreraSD10Sep 30, 193547Loss35–8–4 Joey FerrandoPTS10Aug 6, 193546Win35–7–4 Mike BartoPTS10Jul 29, 193545Win34–7–4 Jackie McFarlandUD10Jul 16, 193544Loss33–7–4 Lou AmbersUD10Jul 1, 193543Win33–6–4 Eddie AdamsRTD7 (10)May 21, 193542Win32–6–4 Sammy ChivasTKO3 (8)May 6, 193541Win31–6–4 Freddie ChynowethPTS8Apr 29, 193540Win30–6–4 Marty GornickRTD5 (10)Apr 15, 193539Win29–6–4 Dominic ManciniTKO11 (12), Apr 8, 193538Draw28–6–4 Dominic ManciniPTS10Apr 1, 193537Win28–6–3 Glafiro 'K. O.' CastilloUD10Mar 4, 193536Loss27–6–3 Johnny JadickPTS10Feb 18, 193535Loss27–5–3 Jimmy LetoUD10Feb 4, 193534Loss27–4–3 Laddie TonielliKO2 (8)Oct 26, 193433Win27–3–3 Harry CarltonPTS10Sep 27, 193432Win26–3–3 'Young' Joe FirpoPTS10Aug 18, 193431Win25–3–3 Eddie RanSD10Jul 2, 193430Win24–3–3 Luis CarranzaPTS4May 29, 193429Draw23–3–3 Phil RiosPTS6May 8, 193428Win23–3–2 Phil RiosPTS6Apr 30, 193427Draw22–3–2 Lloyd SmithPTS6Mar 6, 193426Win22–3–1 Perfecto LopezPTS6Feb 6, 193425Win21–3–1 Baby Sal SorioTKO2 (4)Jan 23, 193424Win20–3–1 Rudy AyonPTS4Dec 27, 193323Win19–3–1 Vincent MartinezPTS4Dec 15, 193322Draw18–3–1 Homer FosterPTS4Dec 4, 193321Win18–3 Don MillerTKO3 (4)Nov 23, 193320Win17–3 Gus VargasKO2 (4)Nov 3, 193319Win16–3 Joe PimentelKO4 (4)Oct 12, 193318Win15–3 Joey GrebPTS6Aug 7, 193317Win14–3 Don AstoTKO3 (6)Jul 10, 193316Win13–3 Don AstoUD6Jun 26, 193315Win12–3 Patsy HenniganPTS6Apr 28, 193314Win11–3 Eddie BrannonTKO6 (6), Apr 10, 193313Win10–3 Frank CarpenterTKO4 (6)Mar 27, 193312Win9–3 Steve SenichKO2 (4)Feb 8, 193311Win8–3 George SchleeRTD2 (6)Jan 30, 193310Win7–3 Billy CreganPTS4Dec 13, 19329Loss6–3 Jerry ClementsSD6Nov 18, 19328Win6–2 Terry WanerTKO3 (6)Oct 14, 19327Win5–2 Jim DorseyKO4 (6)Sep 26, 19326Loss4–2 Steve SenichMD6Jun 22, 19325Win4–1 'Young' LowstetterUD6Jun 9, 19324Win3–1 Elmer KozakTKO4 (6)Mar 4, 19323Win2–1 Paddy GilmoreKO4 (6)Jan 1, 19322Loss1–1 Steve SenichPTS6Nov 16, 19311Win1–0 Al RettingerTKO1 (6)Oct 5, 1931