Best Croatian boxers?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Journeyman92, Jun 25, 2022.


  1. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    Probably Zivic at one?
     
  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    Emile Griffith is probably on there somewhere.
     
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  3. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think Mate Parlov is the first (only?) professional world champion born in what is now Croatia (it was under Yugoslav control I think when he was born).

    He won Olympic gold and a world championship as an amateur and captured the WBC light heavyweight crown in the late 1970s. He defended it against John Conteh and lost it to Marvin Johnson. I think he was 0-1-1 against Matthew Saad Muhammad (not in title fights) so he came up the hard way.

    Fought Marvin Camel to a draw for the inaugural cruiserweight title and lost the rematch.
     
  4. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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  5. The Fighting Yoda

    The Fighting Yoda Active Member Full Member

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    Stipe Drvis (alias Spiderman) deserves a mention. He was fighting for a German boxing promoter and was WBA world light heavyweight champion.
    BTW., he is 6′ 5″ and maybe the tallest LHW ever. At least, I don't know a taller one.

    Just to name a few more of this small but pretty country:
    - Filip Hrgovic is an interesting prospect.
    - Željko Mavrović who fought Lennox Lewis for the title but unfortunately had to finish his career due to an illness.
     
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  6. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Everyone knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

    You must be thinking of Night ******, the European ripoff superhero.

    This content is protected
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2022
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  7. Rope-a-Dope

    Rope-a-Dope Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Marijan Benes, late '70s SMW champion, was half Croat/half Serb.
     
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  8. The Fighting Yoda

    The Fighting Yoda Active Member Full Member

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    Okay, good joke. I'll give you that.
    And maybe we don't have one of these cool and fancy superheroes.
    But let's not forget Asterix would make mincemeat of Spiderman ;)
     
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  9. Themessiah

    Themessiah El Jefe Full Member

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  10. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    This is according to the results of Mate Parlov, but here is an interesting story about another Croatian boxer Anton Josipović.

    1984 Olympics Los Angeles Boxing Tournament.
    In the semifinals, the Yugoslav (Croatia was under Yugoslav control at the time) refree meaninglessly disqualifies Holyfield. Another semifinal is won by Anton Josipović.
    4:21...
    This content is protected
     
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  11. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    What the hell man?
     
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  12. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    I have not seen this since it happened. Thanks for posting.
     
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  13. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    He was one of the greatest South African flyweights of all time, he deserves to be on the list.
     
  14. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Boxrec says Parlov followed by Mavrovic. Slim pickins.
     
  15. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Cro Crop would have been goooood.
     
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