Anton Christoforidis
RealnameAntonios Christoforidis
NationalityGreek
WeightLight heavyweight
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Birth date26 May 1917
Birth placeMersin, Ottoman Empire
Death date19 October 1985 (aged 68)
Death placeAthens, Greece
Total76
Wins53
Ko13
Losses15
Draws8

Anton Christoforidis (Greek: Αντώνιος Χριστοφορίδης; 26 May 1917 – 19 October 1985) was a Greek professional light heavyweight boxer. He won the NBA Light Heavyweight Championship in 1941, making him the first Greek to become a world boxing champion.

Early life

Christoforidis was born in Mersin, Ottoman Empire, but lived his first years in Smyrna. In 1922, he came to Athens, Greece as a refugee with his mother and his two sisters. His father and seven other relatives were killed in Asia Minor. His mother died two years after the family came to Athens. He had a very poor childhood, and was working in a hotel when he realized that he was a very strong boy and didn't mind fighting. He started boxing lessons and soon became the Athens champion, although he was only 16 years old. Then he decided to go to Paris where he grew up very soon in the boxing arenas.[1]

Since Christoforidis did not possess heavy hands, having only recorded thirteen knockouts in seventy-six fights (fifty-three wins), he relied on ring savvy and work-rate in his boxing endeavors.[1]

Christoforidis and Joey Maxim were sparring partners.[2]

Professional career

Christoforidis had most of his early fights in Europe, particularly in France. From 1934 to late 1939, he had 46 fights in Europe, and then went to the United States. His first bout was against Theodore Korenyi in Athens, Greece, which he won by second-round knockout. His last fight in Europe prior to his departure for America was a points win over the legendary Canadian welterweight/middleweight Lou Brouillard in April 1939.[1]

On 8 November 1937, Christoforidis won both the Greek middleweight and Greek light heavyweight titles from Costas Vassis in Athens, Greece.[1]

Christofordis defeated EBU (European) middleweight champion Bep van Klaveren on 14 November 1938 in Rotterdam, Netherlands and won the EBU title. One of the spectators was Adolf Hitler.[1][2]

His first title defense was against France's Edouard Tenet in Paris, France. Anton was ahead on points going into the eleventh round, but broke his left hand that round and was forced to finish the fight on the defensive. He lost via decision.[1]

He made his United States debut on 5 January 1940 in Madison Square Garden, defeating Willie Pavlovich by decision. At that point, Christoforidis settled in Geneva, Ohio. Anton next built up an eight fight winning streak, which was stopped when future Hall of Famer Jimmy Bivins bested him over 10 rounds. Anton once said, "I won that fight; it was strictly a hometown decision." In a rematch the next month, Christoforidis returned the favor and won a 10-round decision, handing Bivins the first defeat of his career.[1][2][3]

The Bivins victory and successful results he had against other American opponents earned Christoforidis a bout with Melio Bettina for the vacant National Boxing Association world light heavyweight title. He won the light heavyweight crown on 13 January 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, by defeating Melio Bettina in a unanimous decision of a fifteen-round bout. Bettina was winning slightly after twelve rounds, but Christofordis finished strong in the final three to win a decision popular with the spectators.[1] The world light heavyweight title was recently stripped from Billy Conn, who failed to defend the belt in six months due to moving up in weight to challenge heavyweight champion Joe Louis.

After knockout wins over Italo Colonello and Johnny 'Bandit' Romero in non-title bouts, Christofordis lost to Gus Lesnevich by unanimous decision on 22 May 1941. Although this was not an NBA title fight, Lesnevich was later awarded the title by the NBA regardless on 24 May 1941.[1]

On 12 January 1942, Christofordis suffered his first knockout loss at the hands of rising contender and future light heavyweight legend Ezzard Charles in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1] Christoforidis was down for "six" and "nine" before the fight was stopped.

Christoforidis fought his last bout on 18 February 1947 against Anton Raadik.[1] He retired with a record of 53 wins (13 by knockout), 15 losses and 8 draws.

Retirement, death and legacy

Christoforidis ran a bar-restaurant in Geneva, Ohio, for several years after retiring from boxing in 1947. He was also fond of the Cleveland area.[2]

In 1961, Christoforidis and his wife got divorced, and in 1968 he sold his interests in Geneva and moved to Florida to retire. In 1971, for the first time he took an extended trip back to Greece for an intended 45 days, but enjoyed it so much, he stayed for 15 years. Christoforidis was treated as a hero in Greece and enjoyed associating the rich and famous on the golf courses and, as he said, "being in shirt sleeves 12 months a year."[2]

Christoforidis died suddenly of a heart attack while being in his car, on 19 October 1985[4] in Athens, Greece at the age of 67.[2] He has made history by becoming the first Greek professional boxing world champion.[1][5]

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound,timeDateAgeLocationNotes
76Loss53–15–8Anton RaadikRTD7 (10)Feb 18, 194729Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
75Loss53–14–8Steve BelloiseTKO10 (10), 2:15Nov 22, 194629Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
74Win53–13–8Augie FleischauerTKO7 (10), 0:54Aug 19, 194629Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
73Win52–13–8Butch LynchKO3 (10), 0:49Jul 8, 194629Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
72Loss51–13–8Lloyd MarshallUD10Apr 21, 194325Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
71Loss51–12–8Jimmy BivinsUD15Feb 23, 194325Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.For vacant "duration" light heavyweight title
70Win51–11–8Nate BoldenUD10Dec 22, 194225Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
69Draw50–11–8Nate BoldenPTS10Aug 10, 194225Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
68Win50–11–7Mose BrownPTS10Jul 27, 194225Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
67Win49–11–7Johnny ColanPTS10Jun 23, 194225Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
66Win48–11–7Johnny ColanPTS10May 20, 194224Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
65Win47–11–7Paulie MahoneyKO9 (10)Apr 29, 194224Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
64Win46–11–7Jimmy ReevesPTS10Apr 17, 194224Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
63Loss45–11–7Ezzard CharlesTKO3 (10), 2:42Jan 12, 194224Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
62Win45–10–7George BurnettePTS10Jan 2, 194224Fairgrounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
61Win44–10–7Ceferino GarciaPTS10Dec 1, 194124Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
60Loss43–10–7Gus LesnevichUD15May 22, 194123Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost NBA light heavyweight title;
Not an NBA Title fight but Lesnevich
awarded the title by the NBA on May 24, 1941
59Win43–9–7Johnny "Bandit" RomeroKO2 (10), 2:31Apr 30, 194123Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
58Win42–9–7Italo ColonelloTKO5 (10)Apr 7, 194123Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
57Win41–9–7Melio BettinaUD15Jan 13, 194123Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.Won vacant NBA light heavyweight title
56Win40–9–7Jimmy BivinsMD10Dec 2, 194023Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
55Loss39–9–7Jimmy BivinsUD10Nov 15, 194023Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
54Win39–8–7Jimmy ReevesKO2 (10), 2:44Oct 22, 194023Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
53Win38–8–7Tony BrunoPTS10Aug 21, 194023Mills Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
52Win37–8–7Joe SutkaPTS10Jul 9, 194023Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
51Win36–8–7Jimmy BurnsTKO6 (10)Jun 5, 194023Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
50Win35–8–7George BurnettePTS8Apr 5, 194022Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
49Win34–8–7Frank ZamarisPTS6Mar 29, 194022Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
48Win33–8–7Willie PavlovichPTS8Jan 5, 194022Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
47Win32–8–7Lou BrouillardPTS10Apr 5, 193921Palais des Sports, Paris, France
46Loss31–8–7Edouard TenetPTS15Jan 14, 193921Palais des Sports, Paris, FranceLost IBU middleweight title
45Win31–7–7Bep van KlaverenPTS15Nov 14, 193821De Doelen, Rotterdam, NetherlandsWon IBU middleweight title
44Loss30–7–7Bep van KlaverenPTS10May 23, 193820Nenijtohal, Rotterdam, Netherlands
43Draw30–6–7Gustav EderPTS12May 6, 193820Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Nazi Germany
42Win30–6–6Gustav EderPTS12Jan 14, 193820Sportpalast, Schoeneberg, Nazi Germany
41Win29–6–6Costas VassisPTS15Nov 8, 193720Athens, GreeceWon Greek light heavyweight title;
Won Greek middleweight title
40Win28–6–6Mielu DoculescuKO1 (10)Oct 30, 193720Athens, Greece
39Draw27–6–6José Martínez ValeroPTS10Aug 22, 193720Oran, French Algeria
38Win27–6–5Victor JanasPTS10Aug 8, 193720Stade Communal de Saint Eugène, Algiers, French Algeria
37Loss26–6–5Kid TuneroPTS10Jun 13, 193720Chantilly, France
36Draw26–5–5José Martínez ValeroPTS10Apr 3, 193719Palais des Sports, Paris, France
35Draw26–5–4José Martínez ValeroPTS10Mar 1, 193719Palais des Sports, Paris, France
34Win26–5–3Victor JanasPTS10Feb 4, 193719Salle Wagram, Paris, France
33Draw25–5–3Edouard TenetPTS10Jan 18, 193719Palais des Sports, Paris, France
32Win25–5–2Mario CasadeiDQ10 (10)Dec 7, 193619Palais des Sports, Paris, France
31Loss24–5–2Edouard TenetPTS10Nov 5, 193619Salle Wagram, Paris, France
30Win24–4–2Carmelo CandelPTS10Aug 2, 193619Arenes d'Eckmühl, Oran, French Algeria
29Loss23–4–2Victor JanasMD10May 2, 193618Automobile Hall, Algiers, French Algeria
28Win23–3–2Carmelo CandelKO8 (10)Apr 19, 193618Marseille, France
27Win22–3–2Vilda JaksPTS12Apr 2, 193618Salle Wagram, Paris, France
26Win21–3–2Adrien AnneetPTS10Mar 5, 193618Salle Wagram, Paris, France
25Loss20–3–2Carmelo CandelPTS10Feb 7, 193618Salle Wagram, Paris, France
24Loss20–2–2Kid TuneroPTS10Jan 6, 193618Palais des Sports, Paris, France
23Win20–1–2Victor JanasPTS10Dec 9, 193518Palais des Sports, Paris, France
22Win19–1–2Vilda JaksPTS10Nov 22, 193518Salle Wagram, Paris, France
21Win18–1–2Julien FaesPTS10Oct 28, 193518Velodrome d'Hiver, Paris, France
20Win17–1–2Marcel FoulonTKO6 (10)Oct 15, 193518Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
19Loss16–1–2Vilda JaksPTS10Sep 20, 193518Salle Wagram, Paris, France
18Draw16–0–2Kid TuneroPTS10Sep 3, 193518Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
17Win16–0–1Andre Georges NiochePTS10Aug 20, 193518Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
16Win15–0–1Assane DioufPTS10Aug 6, 193518Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
15Win14–0–1Jany AmbreskiPTS10Jul 3, 193518Athens, GreeceVenue needs verification
14Win13–0–1Paul JeancenellePTS6May 4, 193517Palais des Sports, Paris, France
13Win12–0–1Andre Georges NiochePTS10Apr 6, 193517Salle des Îlets, Montluçon, France
12Win11–0–1Francisco Garcia LluchPTS10Feb 5, 193517Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
11Win10–0–1Andre Georges NiochePTS10Jan 30, 193517Paris-Ring, Paris, France
10Win9–0–1MartinauxPTS6Jan 9, 193517Paris-Ring, Paris, France
9Win8–0–1Lucien HallartPTS8Jan 4, 193517Élysée Montmartre, Paris, France
8Win7–0–1Marcel BlaisePTS10Dec 19, 193417Paris-Ring, Paris, France
7Win6–0–1Georges RiesPTS10Dec 6, 193417Ring de Belleville, Paris, France
6Win5–0–1Marcel ThouveninPTS6Nov 14, 193417Paris-Ring, Paris, France
5Win4–0–1Guillaume TaddeiTKO4 (10)Nov 10, 193417Central Sporting Club, Paris, France
4Win3–0–1Roger DamagnezPTS10Oct 30, 193417Paris-Ring, Paris, France
3Draw2–0–1Paul JeancenellePTS6Oct 17, 193417Paris-Ring, Paris, France
2Win2–0Curzio SalaKO7 (10)Aug, 1934N/AAthens, GreeceDate unavailable
1Win1–0Theodore KorenyiKO2 (10)Jul, 1934N/AAthens, GreeceProfessional debut
Date uncertain

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Anton Christoforidis: Unheralded but Undisputed Boxing Champion". The National Herald. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ^ Fitch, Jerry (September 2006). "Anton "The Sheik" Greek". The Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ "Jimmy Bivins vs. Anton Christoforidis (3rd meeting)". BoxRec. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. ^ Ta Nea, Σήμερα η κηδεία του Αντώνη Χριστοφορίδη (translation: Antonis Christoforidis is laid to rest today), 22 October 1985, p. 51.
  5. ^ "Anton Christoforidis". The Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 28 April 2012.