IZZY JANAZZO

The NYC welter of the 1930's and 1940's only went 65-48-15 in his career. Yet he was a top ten ranked fighter in five different years over a seven year period.

How is this possible? Four reasons. First he couldn't punch much so if he got behind it was trouble. Second, he was unusually streaky for a good fighter. On ten occasions he lost two or more fights in a row. Third, he began as a sixteen year old and only went 15-8-7 in his first 30 fights. Lastly, he fought an incredible roster of fighters.

HOFers fought-Kid Azteca (0-1), Barney Ross (0-1), Holman Williams (1-1-1), Cocoa Kid (2-0), Fritzie Zivic (0-1), Sugar Ray Robinson (0-4). He went the distance every time but three. Zivic got him once and Robinson twice.

Ranked Fighters Fought-He went 12-16-5 against ranked guys as near as I can figure. That does NOT include another ten or so wins over guys who would later appear in the rankings.

So you look at Izzy and say 65-48-15? The initial reaction is journeyman. Then you look at who he fought and you think he was very inconsistent, but when he was on? One heck of a fighter.

Yet my guess is too many folks when they look at guys like Robginson or Ross or Zivic classify wins over Izzy as just a win over a "bum"

It just ain't so.

Kind of like DeMarcus Corley has been the last decade at 140. He's fought everybody in that division.

hardcoreBEE24 wrote:

Kind of like DeMarcus Corley has been the last decade at 140. He's fought everybody in that division.

Hmmm, good thought.