Ray Mizzi

Name: Ray Mizzi
Birth Name: Raymond Louis Mizzi
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Died: 2008-11-02 (Age:77)
Pro Boxer: Record
Amateur Boxer: Record

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.