Presents:
Fritzie Zivic vs. Henry Armstrong
It is January 17, 1941. World War II is raging in Europe, and the U.S. Selective Service Act, the former Draft Act, is only four months old. More than 23,000 fans have packed Madison Square Garden for the return bout between world welterweight champion Fritizie Zivic and the legendary Henry Armstrong. In this bout, "Perpetual Motion" all-time greatest pound for pound Armstrong tries to regain his world welterweight title from a man who knows but one rule -win.
Henry Armstrong, who had held the world featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight titles -- all at the same time -- is widely acknowledged to be the all-time greatest fighter!
Armstrong was forced to relinquish the featherweight title when he could no longer make the weight, and he lost the lightweight title back to Ambers in 1939. Only the world welterweight title remained, and Henry successfully defended that crown 19 times before losing it to Fritzie Zivic on a 15-round decision in New York’s famed Madison Square Garden by unanimous decision on October 4, 1940. The fight was so close going into the last round that many knowledgeable boxing men thought Armstrong would win in a return.
The result, a fantastic rematch! 23,190 people filled the Garden to the rafters when when Armstrong met Zivic again on January 17, 1941. This remains the all-time highest Garden record for attendance!
The hugely popular fight was carried over radio, with Sam Taub doing the blow-by-blow and Bill Stern between rounds commentator. Blow-by-blow announcer Sam Taub started working for the old New York Morning Telegraph in 1908, working with the legendary Bat Masterson, the former western lawman turned boxing writer.
Fritzie’s elder brothers, Pete and Jack, were the first “Fighting Zivics,” representing the U.S. in 1920 Olympics at Antwerp -- Pete as a flyweight, Jack as a feather. They were the only brothers to box in the same Olympics until 1976, when Leon and Michael Spinks both won the gold.
“Perpetual Motion” Henry Armstrong scored more than his share of knockouts. In fact, his career total of 101 kayos puts him 10th on the all-time K.O. list.
About PRIME TIME BOXING
Programming that cannot be duplicated or found anywhere else, PRIME TIME BOXING features the legendary Don Dunphy, the all-time most dynamic and knowledgeable boxing commentator describing the most exciting and memorable fights of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson and all the other great champions.
Through the incredible magic of the original radio broadcasts listeners will be able to "see" the fights for the first time - in the theater of their mind! A magical replay of exciting sports history presented on audio CD, PRIME TIME BOXING includes the greatest fights ever, including many that have never been filmed or broadcast on TV.
