84 years ago
Henry Armstrong vs Fritzie Zivic
Date: 4th October 1940
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Title: World Welterweight Title
Promoter: Mike Jacobs
Henry Armstrong
(
109
-
12
-
8
)
Weight: 142 lbs
Fritzie Zivic
(
100
-
24
-
5
)
Weight: 145½ lbs
On October 4, 1940, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Fritzie Zivic challenged Henry Armstrong for the world welterweight championship. The bout, scheduled for 15 rounds, ended with Zivic defeating Armstrong unanimously, marking a significant upset in boxing history.
Armstrong, a triple division champion with 18 consecutive welterweight title defences, entered the ring as the heavy favourite. Zivic, the underdog with a reputation for rough tactics and an inconsistent record, was about to make history.
The fight began with Armstrong applying his trademark pressure in the early rounds. However, Zivic's pacing strategy proved effective as the bout progressed. By the seventh round, the challenger significantly increased his offensive output, using uppercuts.
As the fight wore on, it transformed into a brutal affair. Zivic employed his full arsenal of tactics, including questionable moves like thumbing Armstrong's eyes. By the tenth round, the champion was visibly struggling, bleeding from cuts around both eyes.
The final round saw Zivic dominating a fatigued Armstrong. Zivic knocked Armstrong down in the closing seconds, though the bell rang before a count could be completed.
All three officials scored the bout in Zivic's favour: Referee Arthur Donovan (7-8), Judge Marty Monroe (7-8), and Judge John Potter (5-8).
Post-fight, Zivic praised Armstrong's toughness, stating, "He's the gamest guy I ever saw." The International News Service described the bout as "15 of the most vicious rounds ever fought."
This victory was a defining moment for Zivic's career. Despite his 158 career wins, he was often overshadowed by his 65 losses and his reputation for dirty tactics. For Armstrong, it marked the end of his dominant welterweight reign and signalled the twilight of his illustrious career.