Fritzie Zivic vs. Henry Armstrong 'II' ~ 'The Rematch'

[Bill Paxtom]

Fritzie Zivic

'No Rest For The Champion'

Just 6-Weeks after defeating Welterweight Champion - Henry Armstrong on October 4, 1940 >

November 15, 1940

Fritzie was back @ Madison Square Garden to take on the 'Brooklyn Bad Boy'
Al 'Bummy' Davis.

No easy task here in a 10-Round 'non-title' bout, as 'Bummy' {Age; 20 years, 10 months}
was a vicious puncher with a record of 40-1-2 {25 KO's}.

Though still somewhat 'untested', the young Al 'Bummy' Davis could give anybody a
rough time in the Ring, and was capable of taking anyone out. And many in the Boxing
Press gave the 'Brooklyn Knockout-Artist' a fair chance in taking out Fritzie Zivic.

But Fritzie {Age; 27 years, 5 months} and with a record of 101-24-4 was far more
experienced than 'Bummy', and said he was not worried at all.

Fritzie Zivic >

"Most of 'Bummy's wins are over 'washed up souls' or little guys. Now let's see how he does
against a true {100% Certified} Welterweight."

[Master]

A promoter taking 33% cut is outrageous considering Armstrong is doing all the work. Did he retire happily ever after and run a business or did he end up broke?

[Bill Paxtom]

'Whoa Nellie'

Thanks to the investments of Manager- Edward Meade

Thru 1940 - Henry Armstrong pulled in $350,000 in Fight Purses.

Henry had $65,000 in the Bank, and including 'annuities' had roughly
$90,000.

That's 1940 'money'.

The standard agreement back then was the Manager took 1/3 and covered
his fighter's expenses. The fighter got 2/3.
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For the 'rematch' with Fritzie Zivic.

Attendance... 23,190

The Gate Receipts were $78,242 - with a Net of $66,817.

Henry received a 'net of $16,530 from a $19,000 Fight Purse, after paying
out $2470 to his Trainer, Assistants and Physician.

Fritzie Zivic received a 'net' of $19,836.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 17, 1941

The Rematch

Tale of the Tape

......................... Fritzie Zivic ................. Henry Armstrong

Age ........................ 27 years, 8 months .... 28 years, 1 month
Weight ................... 145 3/4 lbs. .............. 140 1/4 lbs.
Height ..................... 5' 10" ....................... 5' 5 1/2"
Reach ...................... 71" .......................... 67"
Chest {Normal} ........ 36 1/4" .................... 34"
Chest {Expanded} ... 39" .......................... 36 1/2"
Neck ....................... 16" .......................... 16"
Bicep ...................... 12 1/4" .................... 13 1/2"
Fist ......................... 11" .......................... 11"
Forearm .................. 11" .......................... 11"
Waist ...................... 30" .......................... 32"
Thigh ...................... 19" .......................... 20"
Calf .......................... 9" ........................... 8"

Record ............ 103-24-5 {55 KO's} ....... 110-13-8 {77 KO's}

General Facts

In Training-Camp, the Champion - Fritzie Zivic had looked very sharp, and was impressive.
Fritzie was showing a solid left-jab, and was working on his short snappy right uppercuts.

On the other hand, the former Champion - Henry Armstrong was looking rather ordinary,
and did not show any of his 'trademark' non-stop whirlwind attacks. Instead, Henry was
doing more boxing from the outside, and with less punching.

Surprisingly, the Odds-Makers listed Henry as the {5-8} Betting-Favorite.

If you bet on Fritzie, you wagered $500 to get $800.

Many in the Boxing Press had believed that Fritzie Zivic had fought 'over-his-head' when
he took the Title from Henry 15-Weeks earlier, back on October 4, 1940.

Others stated, that Henry had too many bouts in 1940 and was worn out. The 15-Week
rest was what he needed, and he would be rejuvenated for this bout. A 'fresher' Henry
would be much better this time.

And others suggested, that Fritzie Zivic was just in the 'right-place-at-the-right-time' for
their 1st-Bout. And though Fritzie was tough, he was 'not' in Henry Armstrong's league as
a complete fighter.

But some were still convinced that Fritzie was the man to go with.

Jack Cuddy {Associated Press} >

'Fritzie is just too strong for Henry. I see an easier fight this time for the Pittsburg Mauler.
I look for Fritzie to score with his hard left-jabs as Henry comes in, and then shakes him
up with his right-uppercuts when they get in close.'

'Fritzie will wear down the 'Little Fellow' much quicker this time, and I look for Fritzie to end
this bout by a Knockout in the 10th Round.'

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ January 17, 1941

Madison Square Garden

Attendance .............. 23,190 {Sell Out}
Note: 5000 Standing Room Only tickets were sold.
Note; Approximately 10,000 people were turned away.

Gate Receipts .......... $78,242 ................... {Net Receipts; $66,817}

Fight Purses
* Fritie Zivic ............ $19,836 ................... 30% of the Net Receipts
* Henry Armstrong .. $19,000 ................... Contract Guarantee

Betting Favorite ....... Henry Armstrong ..... {5-8}

Street Skinny .......... Fritie Zivic bet several thousand dollars on himself to win.

[Bill Paxtom]

"Henry Armstrong 7-5 To Regain Crown"

Harold Conrad >

The 'Dusky Dynamo' is the fan favorite to regain his Welterweight Championship
over conqueror Fritie Zivic.

But the boys on Jacobs Street think that Henry has seen better days, and that his
eyes will never hold up against the Pittsburg Mauler.

While Henry will go down as one of the Greatest Fighter in History, he is not the
Henry of old. Only 3-Months ago, he looked washed up at the end of his 15-Round
bout with Fritzie Zivic.

In that bout, Henry set the pace for the first 7-Rounds, as Fritzie did little other
than stick out a left-jab. But Henry under-estimated Fritzie, and the 'Pittsburg
Mauler' came on like gang-busters from the 8th Round and on, as he targeted
Henry's eyes.

Though that bout was close, it was the Challenger who took it to Henry over the
second-half of the 15-Rounder. And Fritzie badly busted up Henry around the
eyes and mouth.

Though Henry has scar-tissue over both eyes, and an ongoing problem of swelling
up, he still can pull off some of his magic. He is not the 'perpetual-motion' fighting
machine of old, but he has superior technique and boxing skills.

In recent sparring sessions, Henry has changed up and is using a stand-up boxing style
from the outside, instead of charging in and flinging. This style will allow him to avoid
Fritzie's hard left-jabs and close inside right uppercuts.

In my opinion, 'Henry Is The Choice' by a close 15-Round decision.

While Fritzie Zivic is a good fighter and is under-rated in his ring talents, he will never
be as good as Henry Armstrong was in his Hey-Day. I believe that Henry still has
enough skills left to build up a points lead over the first 10-Rounds. And if his eyes
hold up, he will have enough of a points lead to hold off the hard-charging Zivic
down the stretch.

[Bill Paxtom]

"The Fight"

Round 1 >

Henry came out in the 'opening round' in a different style. Instead of flying
in with his trademark bobbing-and-juggling weaves with a snorting-attack,
Henry came forward in a semi-crouch.

Henry was flat-footed as he shuffled in face-first. The Champion - Fritzie Zivic
stood back, and patiently stabbed at Henry by using stiff left-jabs.

Fritzie, with nearly a 5" Height and 4" Reach advantage, peppered Henry's
face with steady jabs throughout the middle-session of the Round.

Whenever Henry moved in close, Fritzie ripped him with looping right-uppercuts.

By the {2:00 Mark}, Henry was already sporting reddened eye-brows, and a
gash on his lower lip.

Round 1 .... Fritzie Zivic
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Round 2 >

Fritzie came out strong, and he shook Henry early with '2' jarring right-hands to the
head. Fritzie then sent Henry sideways with another right-hand to the head.

Fritzie continued with his right-hand assault, as Henry showed every bit of the long
years of wear-and-tear of '350' Amateur and Professional bouts.

But the 'Lil Warrior' would not cave, and just past the {1:30 Mark} Henry opened
up with his own 'two-fisted' assault, as he backed Fritzie into a Corner, where he
wailed away with both fists.

Round 2 ..... Fritzie Zivic
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Round 3 >

It was "Henry's Last Stand", as the former Champion came out banging with hard hooks
to Fritzie's head.

Henry caught Fritzie with a 'left-right' to the head, and sent the Champion staggering back
after tagging him with a hard-hook to the chin.

Henry jumped right in, and slammed Fritzie with another hook, and again the Champion's
legs buckled.

Henry chased, as Fritzie retreated. But Henry nearly stumbled 'twice' to the canvas after
chasing Fritzie and swinging wildy.

But by the {2:00 Mark} Fritzie was battling back, and he opened up a 'gash' under Henry's
right-eye when he caught him with a hard right-uppercut.

The 'aging fast' Henry looked completely exhausted at the end of the 3rd-Round.

Round 3 ..... Henry Armstrong
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