1. Anton Christoforidis was a Greek professional light heavyweight boxer.
17 Facts About Anton Christoforidis
1. 2.
Anton Christoforidis won the NBA Light Heavyweight Championship in 1941, making him the first Greek to become a world boxing champion.
3.
Anton Christoforidis's mother died two years after the family came to Athens.
4.
Anton Christoforidis 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.
5.
Anton Christoforidis started boxing lessons and soon became the Athens champion, although he was only 16 years old.
6.
Anton Christoforidis was a very competent boxer who possessed good skills and got the most out of his ability.
7.
Anton Christoforidis had most of his early fights in Europe, particularly in France.
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On 8 November 1937, Anton Christoforidis won both the Greek middleweight and Greek light heavyweight titles from Costas Vassis in Athens, Greece.
9.
Anton Christoforidis 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.
10.
Anton Christoforidis made his United States debut on 5 January 1940 in Madison Square Garden, defeating Willie Pavlovich by decision.
11.
Anton Christoforidis next built up an eight fight winning streak, which was stopped when future Hall of Famer Jimmy Bivins bested him over 10 rounds.
12.
Anton Christoforidis 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.
13.
Anton Christoforidis was down for "six" and "nine" before the fight was stopped.
14.
Anton Christoforidis retired with a record of 53 wins, 15 losses and 8 draws.
15.
Anton Christoforidis ran a bar-restaurant in Geneva, Ohio, for several years after retiring from boxing in 1947.
16.
Anton Christoforidis died suddenly of a heart attack while being in his car, on 19 October 1985 in Athens, Greece at the age of 67.
17.
Anton Christoforidis has made history by becoming the first Greek professional boxing world champion.