Guide to the Peggy Volkman Collection on Fritzie Zivic 1930s-1940s
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Peggy Volkman Collection on Fritzie Zivic
- Creator
- Peggy Volkman
- Collection Number
- MSS 0813
- Extent
- 1 linear feet (1 scrapbook, 1 O/S photograph)
- Date
- 1930s-1940s
- Abstract
- Fritzie Zivic was a professional boxer from Pittsburgh, Pa., who in 1940 won the welterweight title from Henry Armstrong in a title match at Madison Square Garden. Zivic was one of the "five fighting Zivic brothers" from Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood. He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. The Peggy Volkman Collection on Fritzie Zivic contains a scrapbook with newspaper clippings that document Zivic's boxing career, primarily during the 1940s after he had won the welterweight title. There is also a signed photograph of Zivic wearing the welterweight belt.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Ferdinand Henry John Zivich, known commonly as Fritzie Zivic, was born in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1913. His father, Joseph Zivic, was a Croatian immigrant; his mother, Mary Kepele, was Slovenian. Zivic was one of the "five fighting Zivic brothers", all of whom participated in boxing at some level during their lives. Pete and Jack Zivic both competed in the 1920 Olympic Games in Belgium, where they both were eliminated in quarterfinal matches.
Zivic worked as an office errand boy for the Chronicle-Telegraph before he started fighting professionally as a featherweight at the age of 18. Managed by Luke Carney of Pittsburgh, the "Croat Comet" was ranked among the top 10 welterweights in the country by 1936. That same year Zivic narrowly lost a decision to "The Pittsburgh Kid," Billy Conn. However, in 1940, after defeating Sammy Angott, Zivic earned a shot at the welterweight title.
On October 4, 1940, Zivic, a four to one underdog, met Henry "Hammering Hank" Armstrong in a welterweight title match at New York's Madison Square Garden, where they battled for 15 rounds. In the 15th and final round, Zivic hit Armstrong with a left-hook right-cross combination that put Armstrong on the mat: Zivic won in a unanimous decision. He successfully defended his title in a rematch with Armstrong in January, 1941, and held the title for the next eight months until a losing to Freddie "Red" Cochrane in 15 rounds on July 29, 1941.
Zivic never challenged for a world title again. However, between 1941 and 1946, he fought bouts with several former champions, including: Sugar Ray Robinson, Lew Jenkins, Jake LaMotta, Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery, Tommy Bell, Billy Arnold and Freddie Archer. In all, he met seven future Hall of Famers and nine world champions. His career record stands at 158-64-9, with 80 KO's. Zivic fought his last match in January, 1949 at the age of 36.
Zivic served with the United States Air Force during 1944, and was eventually stationed at Normoyle Field in San Antonio, Texas. He fought a number of matches as a serviceman, and donated nearly all of his earnings back to the Special Services Fund at Normoyle Field.
After ending his career, Zivic operated his own boxing school, and also became a boilermaker. He died after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease in 1984. Fritzie Zivic was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.
Scope and Content Notes
The Peggy Volkman Collection on Fritzie Zivic contains a scrapbook with newspaper clippings that document Zivic's boxing career, primarily during the 1940s after he had won the welterweight championship from Henry Armstrong. There is also a signed photograph of Zivic wearing the welterweight belt.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Peggy Volkman in 2006.
Archives accession # 2006.0272
Preferred Citation
Peggy Volkman Collection on Fritzie Zivic, 1930s-1940s, MSS 0813 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Alex J. Toner on 07/02/12.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
The Life and Times of the Croat Comet: Champ, Fritzie Zivic . Timpav. GV1132.Z5. Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center.
Subjects
- Zivic, Fritzie.
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Boxing--Pennslyvania--Pittsburgh.