Bobby Czyz Night to be held at Bliss Lounge in Clifton, NJ on Sept. 7
Posted on | August 29, 2007 | 4 Comments
BY: Patrick McElligott
On September 7, the Bliss Lounge in Clifton, NJ will be hosting “Bobby Czyz Night.” This benefit, which is open to the public, will raise funds to help out the former world champion, who was seriously injured in an automobile
accident in April. Larry Holmes and Chuck Wepner will co-host the event.
The story of Bobby “Matinee Idol” Czyz’s professional boxing career began with a car accident. He had earned a place on the 1980 US amateur boxing team that would attempt to carry on the Olympic tradition of the legendary 1976 team. A week before the team left for Poland, Bobby was injured in an automobile accident. This kept him from traveling with the team, all of whom died in the tragic March 14 plane crash in Poland.
The 18-year old turned pro a short time later. Within six months, it became apparent that Bobby was not looking to pad his record with easy fights. He would challenge more experienced undefeated contenders like Tommy Merola and Danny Long – and he TKOed both of them.
In January, 1982, he faced undefeated middleweight contender Robbie Simms. Bobby won a unanimous decision over Simms, and was being considered as a potential challenger for Simms’ brother, Middleweight Champion Marvin Hagler. Czyz stayed busy with three more victories over mid-level competition , before meeting Mustafa Hamsho.
Hamsho was a tough contender. His record was 34-2-2 at the time. I knew him from his early days, when he used to fight in Binghamton, NY, including his loss in his pro debut. His only other loss was to Hagler. He was about nine years older than Bobby, and was just too strong for him. Hamsho won a 10-round decision, and after decisioning Wifred Benitez, would challenge Hagler a second time. (Other than the loss in his pro debut, Mustafa would only lose to three world champions.)
Bobby had been weakened by making the middleweight limit, so he moved up to light heavyweight. He put together eight impressive victories, including a unanimous decision over tough Murray Sutherland, the USBA light heavyweight and IBF super middleweight champion.
On December 26, 1986, Bobby TKOed undefeated David Sears in the first round, to win the IBF light heavyweight title. He defended it twice, before losing it to Charles Williams on October 29, 1987.
For the next few years, Bobby Czyz was able to defeat some top contenders, but lost two shots at the light heavyweight title. WBA champion Virgil Hill decisioned him in 12; and IBF champion Williams TKOed him for the second time.
In 1991, Bobby moved up and won the WBA cruiserweight title. He held the title until 1994, when he was stopped by undefeated David Izeqwire. Bobby recognized that it was time to retire, and after hanging up the gloves, he took a job as commentator for Showtime. Czyz, a proud member of Mensa, was one of the best boxing commentators ever. He understood the sport in a way that only those who have been in the ring can. And he had a lot of respect for those men who are brave enough to get into that ring.
Czyz, like so many before him, became convinced that he could still compete with the top fighters. He made a comeback as a heavyweight (though one fight was promoted as being for the WBU’s super cruiserweight title). He won two fights, and then was TKOed by Evander Holyfield in 5 rounds, and by Corrie Sanders in 2 rounds.
The Sanders fight was in 1998, the year that Bobby’s problems with alcohol became apparent. He had a series of DUI cases: one in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2003. The legal system had been cutting Bobby breaks, which resulted in a lot of bad publicity. He lost his job with Showtime, and Bobby Czyz was out of the public eye until April of this year, when he almost died in a fiery car crash.
Bobby Czyz has some financial difficulties, and he needs our help. If you are unable to attend the benefit, but would like to help, please send a contribution to: Bliss Lounge; 955 Allwood Road; Clifton, NJ, 07012; attention: Joey Barcelona. For more information, contact Emily Tan at: EmilyEmilyTan@aol.com , or at 917-318-3758.
I’m hoping that you will join me in sending a contribution to help Bobby Czyz. It doesn’t matter if you can afford to send $5, $50, or $500 – it all adds up. It lets the man know that the boxing community cares about him.
Thank you.