Lawrenceville: Fritzie Zivic
Ferdinand "Fritzie" Zivic,
Welterweight Champion of the World,
4 October 1940 - 29 July 1941.
BORN: 1913.
DIED: 17 May 1984.
BURIED: St. Nicholas Cemetery, Millvale.
- In the early
days, when immigrants surged to Lawrenceville
mills and factories for jobs, nationalities respected ward boundaries, and
fisticuffs were a way of life. ... Fritzie Zivic, for instance, who
grew up with his four brothers in [the] 9th Ward, has said, "You either
had to fight or stay in the house.
We went out." (3)
- After leaving
boxing in 1949, Fritzie tried promoting; managing;
working in a steel mill; selling wine, whiskey and beer; bartending; and
laboring on a county work crew before settling into boilermaking. (4)
- He had a body
like a
wire, a mind like a chess player, a quick wit and a splendid smile. (5)
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