Zeljko Mavrovic

[HomicideHenry]

In a recent interview with RING MAGAZINE Lennox Lewis said that Zev had the best footwork of anyone he ever faced.... But then backhanded the compliment saying that Zev was in "survival mode" from the start, as if to imply he ran away the entire time.

From my recollection of the fight it wasn't like that at all. Zev just so happened to give a great account of himself, and Lewis for the first time since McCall looked rather ordinary. Sure he got outgunned, but Zev wasn't running around like he was scared either.

[hhaehre]

In a recent interview with RING MAGAZINE Lennox Lewis said that Zev had the best footwork of anyone he ever faced.... But then backhanded the compliment saying that Zev was in "survival mode" from the start, as if to imply he ran away the entire time.

From my recollection of the fight it wasn't like that at all. Zev just so happened to give a great account of himself, and Lewis for the first time since McCall looked rather ordinary. Sure he got outgunned, but Zev wasn't running around like he was scared either.

I remember Lewis had problems early and imo was behind going into the second half of the fight. Lewis did not seem to be in shape but he got a second wind, started to land uppercuts and in the end the size difference was too much to overcome for Mavrovic. I don't remember Zeljko running, he took everything Lewis had and did better than anyone thought he would.

[Kalan]

Well they threw bout 700 punches... Landed bout half of them I'd say.... What amazes me was how wide open BOTH guys were.... They lacked defensive skills ... and couldn't hit worth a damn either .... else it's a certain KO ending.

[Bodyshot3]

Lewis has often chosen to name-check Mavrovic in the past.........which would suggest a certain degree of respect.

What I never really got is why someone who'd done more than ok against a big-time champion - set some challenges, not got busted-up and who had put himself right in the frame for more big fights - would do such a disappearing act?

I am fairly sure that Zeljko last broke cover after a long absence as a crusierweight...although Boxrec does not record this.

[HomicideHenry]

He retired because he had some sort of rare muscular wasting disease. I did hear rumors that he wanted to make a comeback, but never heard he actually mounted one as a cruiserweight. If he did they had to of been purely exhibitions or unlicensed bouts.

[Bodyshot3]

He retired because he had some sort of rare muscular wasting disease. I did hear rumors that he wanted to make a comeback, but never heard he actually mounted one as a cruiserweight. If he did they had to of been purely exhibitions or unlicensed bouts.

That would explain a great deal......I was always surprised and perplexed by the way a good/relevant HW suddenly vanished.

I am pretty sure that after a massive break Mavrovic did get back in the ring.........Boxing News report I think......but if it was an exhibition or nobody would licence him then that also makes sense.

[Kalan]

He looked very thin and weak versus Lewis.... Comparing the 2 boxers physically....Lewis was buff as Hell... Zev was thin.

[HomicideHenry]

He looked very thin and weak versus Lewis.... Comparing the 2 boxers physically....Lewis was buff as Hell... Zev was thin.

Not every Heavyweight can be 6'5"+ and 240+ pounds... Nor does physicalities alone dictate who would win fights.

[Kalan]

That's true.. Size and strength don't decide the issue alone .... But they sure help a lot.

[Boxerbeetle]

I know virtually nothing about Mavrovic, but he was an absolutely perfect ‘who was your toughest opponent’ answer for Lewis - he was durable, lasted the distance, looked strong & tough without actually ever looking like he could win, and then retired early to leave an aura of mistique.

[Caractacus]

I think he would have done better if he had fought Lennox Lewis earlier in his career then he did.
He didn't look too healthy to me, isn't he a vegan ?

[Caractacus]

I remember reading an interview where Jameel McCline said that Zeljko Mavrovic was "the Best" boxer that he had ever sparred with (or words to that effect) so he was impressed by him.
don't beleive it ?then check out this article from 2002.

https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/07/spor ... eight.html

[Caractacus]

if I had been Zeljko Marovic's fight manager,I think I would have suggested that he come into the ring with this theme playing.

[Caractacus]

Some very rare( and also seldomley seen) footage of Zeljko Mavrovic fighting in the amateurs ! (July.27.1990)
(his bout against James Johnson of USA begins at approx. 26:30 of this clip)



here he is in only the second professional fight of Zeljko Mavrovic in May 1993
( notice early hair-style and he goes after the dude like he was "the Manassa Mauler" too)


here is his 18th professional fight in April 1995

[Kalan]

I remember reading an interview where Jameel McCline said that Zeljko Mavrovic was "the Best" boxer that he had ever sparred with (or words to that effect) so he was impressed by him.
don't beleive it ?then check out this article from 2002.

https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/07/spor ... eight.html

Sounds about right really -- Mavrovic would be better than any other guy he sparred with --Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Hasim Rahman, Riddick Bowe, Henry Akinwande, and Larry Donald -- up until he faced Lennox Lewis himself.

[Caractacus]

December 1995-The 21st professional fight.

[Caractacus]

April 1996-Zeljko Mavrovic's 22nd professional fight

[Caractacus]

Here are some interesting"tidbits" I came across about him.
His amateur record was 124-16 (including 2 Olympic Games)
He adapted his Mohawk Indian hair style in 1994 just after the Olympic Games in Barcelona Spain because he admired the Mohawk Indians.
he won the EBU(European Heavyweight title in April 1995 and defended it 6 times.
Some boxers who he was scheduled to fight during his reign as European HW Champion
however pulled out of his scheduled defenses) namely
Scott Welch
Brian Nielsen
Henry Akinwande
and Herbie Hide (pulled out twice including a title fight scheduled for September.16. 1995 in Norwich England)

[Caractacus]

November 1996-24th professional fight.

[ClivePatrickLyons]

I remember watching that fight and Mavrovic made Lewis look very ordinary the fight was wide on the score cards if my memory is serving me correctly but it was much closer then what the judge's said

[Kalan]

I remember watching that fight and Mavrovic made Lewis look very ordinary the fight was wide on the score cards if my memory is serving me correctly but it was much closer then what the judge's said

Mavrovic did okay technically for a while... But he looked very weak, skinny, and light compared to some of his earlier fights... Maybe he over trained for Lewis.. Maybe he had the flu or whatever... He didn't pick it up when he was tagging Lewis good... That was his only chance - to turn it up... He didn't have the conditioning or strength to go for it.

[Caractacus]

February 1997-25th professional fight.

[HomicideHenry]

Again, Kalan, he had a muscle wasting disease. He was unaware he even had it until the Lewis fight was over. He had it for years, and didn't understand what was happening.

[knockout]

Again, Kalan, he had a muscle wasting disease. He was unaware he even had it until the Lewis fight was over. He had it for years, and didn't understand what was happening.

Yes he came in so light against Lennox, a lot lighter than most expected ( 10lbs or so ).

Perhaps the result of his muscle wasting disease rather than a strategy to be more mobile ! He certainly didn’t run , was happy trading with LL despite giving away 30lbs

[Caractacus]

check this out-looks like there is some footage of additional fights of his somewhere-
The dude in the blue trunks and the dude in the green trunks.I think one may be James Pritchard(?)