Anton Christoforidis
Encyclopedia
Anton Christoforidis (May 26, 1917- October 31, 1985) was a Greek
light heavyweight
boxer
.
Christoforidis was born in Messenia
prefecture, Greece
. His first bout was against Francisco Garcia Lluch in Paris, France which he won by decision. He made his United States
debut on January 5, 1940 in Madison Square Garden
defeating Willie Pavlovich. At that point Christoforidis settled in Geneva, Ohio
.
Christoforidis was a very competent boxer who possessed good skills and got the most out of his ability. Since he did not possess heavy hands, having only recorded eleven knockouts in sixty-five fights, he relied on ring savvy and work-rate to get the job done.
He won the National Boxing Association world light heavyweight title on January 13, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio
by defeating Melio Bettina
in a unanimous decision of a 15-round bout. Christoforidis defended his title successfully twice against Italo Colonnelo in Baltimore, Maryland and Johnny Romero in St Louis. He lost it May 22, 1941 to Gus Lesnevich
by unanimous decision.
Christoforidis fought his last bout on February 18, 1947 against Anton Raadik
. He retired with a record of 43 wins (11 by knock out), 15 losses and 7 draws.
Christoforidis died in Athens
, Greece, at the age of 67. He has made history by becoming the first Greek professional boxing world champion.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
light heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Christoforidis was born in Messenia
Messenia
Messenia is a regional unit in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese region, one of 13 regions into which Greece has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, implemented 1 January 2011...
prefecture, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. His first bout was against Francisco Garcia Lluch in Paris, France which he won by decision. He made his United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
debut on January 5, 1940 in Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
defeating Willie Pavlovich. At that point Christoforidis settled in Geneva, Ohio
Geneva, Ohio
Geneva is a city in Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States. The area which would become Geneva was originally settled in 1805, and was incorporated as a city in 1958. It is named after Geneva, New York. The city's population was 6,595 at the 2000 census....
.
Christoforidis was a very competent boxer who possessed good skills and got the most out of his ability. Since he did not possess heavy hands, having only recorded eleven knockouts in sixty-five fights, he relied on ring savvy and work-rate to get the job done.
He won the National Boxing Association world light heavyweight title on January 13, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
by defeating Melio Bettina
Melio Bettina
Melio Bettina was a professional boxer.-Amateur career:Bettina won the 1935 Intercity Golden Gloves at light-heavyweight by decision over Tony Zale.-Pro career:...
in a unanimous decision of a 15-round bout. Christoforidis defended his title successfully twice against Italo Colonnelo in Baltimore, Maryland and Johnny Romero in St Louis. He lost it May 22, 1941 to Gus Lesnevich
Gus Lesnevich
Gustav George Lesnevich was an American boxer. Lesnevich was born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey....
by unanimous decision.
Christoforidis fought his last bout on February 18, 1947 against Anton Raadik
Anton Raadik
Anton "Rampaging Estonian" Raadik was the most famous Estonian born Middleweight boxer of the 1940s and 50s fighting out of Chicago, Illinois.- Professional Boxing Career :...
. He retired with a record of 43 wins (11 by knock out), 15 losses and 7 draws.
Christoforidis died in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece, at the age of 67. He has made history by becoming the first Greek professional boxing world champion.