Bobby Czyz

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Robert Edward Czyz (Script error: No such module "IPAc-en". Script error: No such module "Respell".; born February 10, 1962) is an American commentator and former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 1998. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title from 1986 to 1987 and the World Boxing Association (WBA) cruiserweight title from 1991 to 1993.

Czyz was born in Orange, New Jersey. He grew up in Wanaque, New Jersey and attended Lakeland Regional High School.[1][2] He is three quarters Italian and one quarter Polish.[3] His younger brother is avant-garde fiction writer Vincent Czyz.[4][5]

Nicknamed "the Matinee Idol", Czyz was a member of the United States amateur boxing team whose other members died aboard LOT Polish Airlines Flight 007 when it crashed in 1980. Czyz did not make the trip, as he was recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.

Amateur career

As an amateur, Czyz was doing his best to secure his spot at the U.S. Olympic team for the eventually missed 1980 Moscow Olympics. He was one of a few boxers (along with Sal Cenicola, Marvis Frazier[6] and Tony Tucker) who survived the LOT Flight 7 crash by staying at home in the United States. He finished his amateur career having 26 fights under his belt, with a record of 24 wins, 2 losses.[7]

Professional career

Czyz had a quick start to his professional boxing career in the early 1980s, and he was soon in line for a shot against world middleweight champion Marvin Hagler. He had to start from scratch, however, after suffering a one-sided, 10-round loss at the hands of veteran Mustafa Hamsho on November 20, 1982 in a bout that was nationally televised.

Czyz went up in weight, put another string of wins together, and in September 1986, he finally found himself in a ring with an undefeated world champion, IBF light heavyweight champion Slobodan Kačar (Olympic Gold medallist of 1980). Czyz beat him in five rounds.

Czyz made three defenses: a one-round defeat of David Sears, a see-saw second-round KO of Willie Edwards, and a fifth-round TKO of Jim McDonald - before taking on 'Prince' Charles Williams in October 1987. Czyz scored an early knockdown of Williams, yet the challenger not only stayed in the fight, but also hammered shut Czyz' left eye en route to scoring a TKO victory and thus seizing the title after nine rounds of boxing.

Czyz then lost a decision to Dennis Andries in May 1988, followed by a couple of victories, in turn followed by two cracks at the world title in 1989. Czyz, despite truly good efforts on his part in both challenges, lost both of them - a 12-round decision to Virgil Hill in North Dakota for the WBA version in March, and a 10th-round TKO loss to Williams in an IBF title rematch in June.

Czyz went on to stop then-undefeated Andrew Maynard in seven rounds (the second undefeated Gold medallist he KO'd) in June 1990, then jumped up to cruiserweight. He challenged Robert Daniels for Daniels' WBA world cruiserweight championship in March 1991, and won a unanimous decision. Two defenses, against Bash Ali and Donny Lalonde, were made (both by unanimous decision) before Czyz vacated the title.

In 1994, Czyz became a television boxing analyst working alongside Steve Albert and Ferdie Pacheco whilst continuing his boxing career. The trio covered fights in many locations worldwide. In December 1994, he covered the first world title fight ever held in Ecuador as a member of Showtime's crew.

In 1996, he stepped up to the heavyweight division, but lost by knockout in five rounds to Evander Holyfield and quickly retired. Czyz fought one last time in 1998, losing by second-round TKO to South African Corrie Sanders. Czyz continued doing color commentary for Showtime, but was let go after pleading guilty to his fourth drunken-driving offense in six years after being caught speeding in Readington Township, New Jersey. Czyz's case received a lot of attention as he was a multiple repeat DUI case, and was a driver behind the NJ Assembly revisiting its legislation.[8] Czyz, who was a Raritan Township, New Jersey resident at the time, was given a six-month license suspension for each of his three drunken driving convictions in 1998, 1999 and 2000. It was discovered that he was sentenced improperly as a first-time offender after his fourth arrest, which occurred in February 2003 in Readington Township, where he was caught driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent. The state limit at that time was 0.10 percent.[8]

Professional boxing record

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
52 Loss 44–8 Corrie Sanders TKO 2 (12), 1:43Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 12 Jun 1998 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, ConnecticutScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBU heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
51 Loss 44–7 Evander Holyfield RTD 5 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 May 1996 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New YorkScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
50 Win 44–6 Richard Jackson TKO 6 (12), 1:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 Dec 1995 Grand Casino, Biloxi, MississippiScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBU super cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
49 Win 43–6 Jeff Williams UD 10 22 Sep 1995 South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
48 Win 42–6 Tim Tomashek TKO 5 (10), 1:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 24 Mar 1995 South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
47 Loss 41–6 David Izeqwire RTD 4 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4 Aug 1994 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, ConnecticutScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For IBO cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
46 Win 41–5 George O'Mara UD 10 19 Feb 1994 Coliseum, Charlotte, North CarolinaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
45 Win 40–5 Donny Lalonde UD 12 8 May 1992 Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NevadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
44 Win 39–5 Bash Ali UD 12 9 Aug 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
43 Win 38–5 Robert Daniels SD 12 8 Mar 1991 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBA cruiserweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
42 Win 37–5 Horacio Rene Brandan TKO 6 (10), 2:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 21 Sep 1990 Taj Mahal's Mark G Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
41 Win 36–5 Andrew Maynard KO 7 (10), 0:42Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 24 Jun 1990 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
40 Win 35–5 Uriah Grant UD 10 23 Mar 1990 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
39 Loss 34–5 Charles Williams RTD 10 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 25 Jun 1989 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For IBF light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
38 Loss 34–4 Virgil Hill UD 12 4 Mar 1989 Civic Center, Bismarck, North DakotaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBA light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Win 34–3 Mike DeVito TKO 7 (12), 1:18Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 27 Dec 1988 Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, FloridaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Win 33–3 Leslie Stewart SD 10 25 Oct 1988 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Loss 32–3 Dennis Andries MD 10 22 May 1988 Ballys Park Place Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Loss 32–2 Charles Williams RTD 9 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 29 Oct 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, NevadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost IBF light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Win 32–1 Jim MacDonald TKO 6 (12), 0:37Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3 May 1987 Convention Center, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained IBF light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Win 31–1 Willie Edwards KO 2 (12), 2:16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 21 Feb 1987 Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained IBF light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 30–1 David Sears TKO 1 (12), 1:01Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 26 Dec 1986 South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained IBF light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 29–1 Slobodan Kačar TKO 5 (12), 1:10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 6 Sep 1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Hilton Center, Las Vegas, NevadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won IBF light heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Win 28–1 Murray Sutherland UD 10 26 Jul 1985 Atlantis Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 27–1 Mike Fischer UD 10 9 May 1985 South Mountain Arena, West Orange, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 26–1 Tim Broady TKO 4 (10), 1:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 18 Jan 1985 Summit, Houston, TexasScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Win 25–1 Marvin Mack UD 10 23 Oct 1984 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Win 24–1 Mark Frazie UD 10 30 May 1984 Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 23–1 Jimmy Baker TKO 1 (10), 0:30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 15 Feb 1984 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Win 22–1 Bill Medei TKO 4 (10), 2:04Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 25 Oct 1983 Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Win 21–1 Bert Lee RTD 2 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 9 Sep 1983 Caesars Palace, Outdoor Arena, Las Vegas, NevadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Loss 20–1 Mustafa Hamsho UD 10 20 Nov 1982 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 20–0 Chris Linson TKO 2 (10) 25 Sep 1982 Americana Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 19–0 Manuel Melon TKO 2 (10), 1:24Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3 Jul 1982 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Win 18–0 Bobby Coolidge TKO 4 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 23 Mar 1982 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Win 17–0 Robbie Sims UD 10 17 Jan 1982 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Win 16–0 Elisha Obed DQ 6 (10) 12 Nov 1981 Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Obed disqualified for holdingScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Win 15–0 Dan Snyder TKO 2 (10), 2:22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 8 Nov 1981 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Win 14–0 Rick Noggle TKO 7 (10), 1:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 26 Jun 1981 Sun Dome, Tampa, FloridaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Win 13–0 Reggie Jones RTD 6 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 18 Jun 1981 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won New Jersey middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 12–0 Oscar Albarado TKO 3 (10), 2:30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 21 May 1981 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Win 11–0 Teddy Mann UD 8 23 Feb 1981 Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Win 10–0 Danny Long TKO 5 (10), 2:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 8 Feb 1981 Playboy Club, McAfee, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 9–0 Skipper Jones TKO 7 (10) 18 Dec 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Win 8–0 Tommy Merola TKO 2 (10), 2:49Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 16 Oct 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 7–0 Johnny Davis TKO 1 (8), 1:40Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 18 Sep 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 6–0 Leo Ferro UD 8 21 Aug 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 5–0 Bruce Strauss KO 4 (8) 17 Jul 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 4–0 Ronald Cousins TKO 1 19 Jun 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Win 3–0 Dalton Swift KO 2 22 May 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Jamal Arbubakar PTS 4 8 May 1980 Resorts International, Atlantic City, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Hank Whitmore KO 1 (4) 24 Apr 1980 Ice World, Totowa, New JerseyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Professional debutScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Outside the ring

Czyz married actress and photographer Kimberly Ross (October 8, 1959 – December 19, 2006) on October 27, 1992. Their daughter, Mercedes Czyz, was born September 27, 1993. They were divorced by the time Kimberly died, after a long battle with breast cancer, aged 47.

He has since been inducted into the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Czyz is a member of Mensa,[9][10] the organization for people who have scored in the highest 2% of takers in an IQ test. He even wore a shirt with "MENSA" on it while walking to the ring to fight Evander Holyfield.

Czyz was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2024. He has sought aggressive treatment and the cancer is in remission.[11][12]

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Bobby Czyz Amateur Record at the BoxingRecords. Last updated : March 1, 2006.
  8. ↑ a b [1] Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Sporting positions

Template:S-text

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check IBF Light heavyweight champion
September 6, 1986 – October 29, 1987 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBA Cruiserweight champion
March 8, 1991 – 1993
Vacated Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Orlin Norris
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