BoxRec - User contributions [en]

Ray Mizzi

2008-02-28T18:21:47Z

Amizzi:

<boxer>145884</boxer>

'''Ray Mizzi''', a first generation Maltese, learned how to box by following his brothers to the local boxing gym in his neighborhood near 3rd street and Hamiliton, Detroit. Both of his older brothers were amateur boxing champions. (His brother Joe excelled in basketball, track, handball and racquetball--winning local and state titles into his late 70s.) Mizzi began boxing at age 14, emulating his favorite boxer, [[Sugar Ray Robinson]].

During a career that lasted from 1945 until 1950, Mizzi reportedly won five Detroit and Michigan state welterweight boxing championships: four CYO and one Golden Gloves. (The CYO had replaced the Golden Gloves, which had ceased after the Second World War ended and returned in 1950.) It has been claimed that Mizzi won 55 fights in a row on his way to a career amateur record of 77 wins and 4 losses; he lost only once in four years to the Ohio Golden Glove champion from Cleveland, Len Dozier.

Mizzi apparently was known as a defensive fighter, using his legs to move laterally to avoid punches. He was also known for his hand speed and balance. He was said to be a crowd-pleaser, and was constantly asked to head up local fight cards, especially for veterans or charitable organizations.

During his career he fought and beat many regional Olympic champions: Joe Garza (three times), Ed Zaremba, Don Tomilson, Williard White, Bill Curro, and his toughest opponent as both an amateur and a pro, Tommy Leedle.

Mizzi quit amateur boxing in 1950, and in 1951 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Korea. He was an alternate on the Army boxing team.

He returned to the United States, married and started a family in 1954. In 1955 his older brother, Alex, convinced him to fight pro. Mizzi eventually agreed to his brother's wants and joined up with a local horse and fight owner, C.W. Smith. He fought 10 times from 1955 - 1956, winning nine and losing one, all while working as a warehouseman for Drewey's Beer. Mizzi was knocked down four times in his last professional fight (supposedly more times than all amateur and pro fights combined).

His wife did not like him boxing. Neither did his parents. It is hard to believe that his parents nor his wife ever saw him fight.

Mizzi retired from boxing in 1956. When asked by his son, what was his secret for winning so many fights he replied: "I train as if each opponent is a champion." He is currently (January 2008) living in California with his second wife.

Ray Mizzi

2008-01-28T04:19:57Z

Amizzi:

Ray Mizzi was born in Detroit, a first generation Maltese on 12/22/1930.

He learned how to box by following his brothers to the local boxing gym in
his neighborhood near 3rd street and Hamiliton.

Both of his older brothers were amateur boxing champions. His brohter Joe
was an exceptional athlete excelling in basketball, track handball and racquetball,
winning local and state titles into his late 70's

Ray begain boxing at age 14, quickly learning all the he could. He was a natural
boxer puncher who emulated his favorite boxer, Sugar Ray Robinson.

During a career that lasted from 1945 until 1950, Ray won 5 Detroit and Michigan
state welterweight boxing champions. (4 CYO and 1 Golden Gloves) The CYO had
replaced the Golden Gloves that ceased after the second world war ended and returned
in 1950.

Ray won 55 fights in a row on his way to a career record of 77 wins and 4 losses.
He only lost once in 4 years to a clever Ohio Golden Glover champion from Cleveland
named Len Dozier.

Ray was known as a great defensive fighter, using his legs to move laterally to
avoid punches.

He was also known for his great hand speed and great balance. He was a crowd
pleaser and was constantly asked to head up local fight cards, especially for
veterns or chartiable organizations.

During his career he fought and beat many regional olympic champions: Joe Garza (3X)
Ed Zaremba, Don Tomilson, Williard White, Bill Curro and his toughest opponent
both amateur and pro, Tommy Leedle.

He quit amateur boxing in 1950, and in 1951 he was drafted in the army and went to Korea.
He was an alternate on the Army boxing team and was fortunate not to see any action.

He returned home, married and started a family in 1954. In 1955, his older brother Alex,
convinced him to fight pro. Ray, who was not the least interested, finally agreed to
his brother's wants and joined up with a local horse and fight owner C.W. Smith.

He fought 10 times from 1955 - 1956 winning 9 and losing one, all while working as a
warehouseman for Drewey's Beer.

His last fight was a disaster. Ray was knocked down 4 times in his last professional fight.
(More times than all amateur and pro fights combined)

His wife did not like boxing as so did both his parents. It is unfortunate that his
wife nor his parents ever saw him fight.

Ray retired from boxing in 1956.

When asked by his son, what was his secret for winning so many fights he replied:
" I train as if each opponent is a champion" Good advice for any sport. In other
words, never underestimate your opponent.

He is currently (01/2008) living in California with his second wife.

His health is great and he does not show any signs of ever being a fighter.

(A sure sign of being a great fighter)

Ray Mizzi

2008-01-28T02:14:15Z

Amizzi:

Ray Mizzi was born in Detroit, a first generation Maltese on 12/22/1930.

He learned how to box by following his brothers to the local boxing gym in
his neighborhood near 3rd street and Hamiliton.

Both of his older brothers were amateur boxing champions. His brohter Joe
was an exceptional athlete excelling in basketball, track handball and racquetball,
winning local and state titles into his late 70's

Ray begain boxing at age 14, quickly learning all the he could. He was a natural
boxer puncher who emulated his favorite boxer, Sugar Ray Robinson.

During a career that lasted from 1945 until 1950, Ray won 5 Detroit and Michigan
state welterweight boxing champions. (4 CYO and 1 Golden Gloves) The CYO had
replaced the Golden Gloves that ceased after the second world war ended and returned
in 1950.

Ray won 55 fights in a row on his way to a career record of 77 wins and 4 losses.
He only lost once in 4 years to a clever Ohio Golden Glover champion from Cleveland
named Len Dozier.

Ray was known as a great defensive fighter, using his legs to move laterally to
avoid punches.

He was also known for his great hand speed and great balance. He was a crowd
pleaser and was constantly asked to head up local fight cards, especially for
veterns or chartiable organizations.

During his career he fought and beat many regional olympic champions: Joe Garza (3X)
Ed Zaremba, Don Tomilson, Williard White, Bill Curro and his toughest opponent both amateur
and pro, Tommy Leedle.

He quit amateur boxing in 1950, and in 1951 he was drafted in the army and went to Korea.
He was an alternate on the Army boxing team and was fortunate not to see any action.

He returned home, married and started a family in 1954. In 1955, his older brother Alex,
convinced him to fight pro. Ray, who was not the least interested, finally agreed to
his brother's wants and joined up with a local horse and fight owner C.W. Smith.

He fought 10 times from 1955 - 1956 winning 9 and losing one, all while working as a
warehouseman for Drewey's Beer.

His last fight was a disaster. Ray was knocked down 4 times in his last professional fight.
(More times than all amateur and pro fights combined)

His wife did not like boxing as so did both his parents. It is unfortunate that his
wife nor his parents ever saw him fight.

Ray retired from boxing in 1956.

When asked by his son, what was his secret for winning so many fights he replied:
" I train as if each opponent is a champion" Good advice for any sport. In other
words, never underestimate your opponent.

He is currently (01/2008) living in California with his second wife.

His health is great and he does not show any signs of ever being a fighter.

(A sure sign of being a great fighter)

Ray Mizzi

2008-01-28T02:06:32Z

Amizzi: New page: Ray Mizzi was born in Detroit, a first generation Maltese on 12/22/1930. He learned how to box by following his brothers to the local boxing gym in his neighborhood near 3rd street an...

Ray Mizzi was born in Detroit, a first generation Maltese on 12/22/1930.

He learned how to box by following his brothers to the local boxing gym in
his neighborhood near 3rd street and Hamiliton.

Both of his older brothers were amateur boxing champions. His brohter Joe
was an exceptional athlete excelling in basketball, track handball and racquetball,
when local and state titles into his late 70's

Ray begain boxing at age 14, quickly learning all the he could. He was a natural
boxer puncher who emulated his favorite boxer, Sugar Ray Robinson.

During a career that lasted from 1945 until 1950, Ray won 5 Detroit and Michigan
state welterweight boxing champions. (4 CYO and 1 Golden Gloves) The CYO had
replaced the Golden Gloves that ceased after the second world war ended and returned
in 1950.

Ray won 55 fights in a row on his way to a career record of 77 wins and 4 losses.
He only lost once in 4 years to a clever Ohio Golden Glover champion from Cleveland
named Len Dozier.

Ray was known as a great defensive fighter, using his legs to move laterally to
avoid punches.

He was also known for his great hand speed and great balance. He was a crowd
pleaser and was constantly asked to head up local fight cards, especially for
veterns or chartiable organizations.

During his career he fought and beat many regional olympic champions: Joe Garza (3X)
Ed Zaremba, Don Tomilson, Williard White and his toughest opponent both amateur and pro,
Tommy Leedle.

He quit amateur boxing in 1950, and in 1951 he was drafted in the army and went to Korea.
He was an alternate on the Army boxing team and was fortunate not to see any action.

He returned home, married and started a family in 1954. In 1955, his older brother Alex,
convinced him to fight pro. Ray, who was not the least interested, finally succumbed to
his brother's wants and joined up with a local horse and fight owner C.W. Smith.

He fought 10 times from 1955 - 1956 winning 9 and losing one, all while working as a
warehouseman for Drewey's Beer.

His last fight was a disaster for Ray being knocked down 4 times in one fight. (More than
all amateur and pro fights combined.

His wife did not like boxing as so did his both his parents. It is unfortunate that his
wife nor his parents ever saw him fight.

Ray retired from boxing in 1956.

When asked by his son, what was his secret for winning so many fights he replied:
" I train as if each opponent is a champion" Good advice for sports. In other
words, never underestimate your opponent.

He is currently (01/2008) living in California with his second wife.

His health is great and he does not show any signs of being a fighter.

(A sure sign of being a great fighter)