| THE IRISH BLOCKBUSTER Fitzie Fitzpatrick |
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This country is the greatest sports nation in the world. Competitive sports, especially boxing rank among the best. The spirit behind boxing is a never – say – die spirit. A boxer isn’t licked until he is either knocked out or beaten. Hilton “Fitzie” Fitzpatrick had that special spirit and class to win via the knockout route. Fitzie Fitzpatrick fought during boxing greatest era, starting with Jack Dempsey, the million dollar man and his enormous crowd appeal; Joe Louis, the first black champion since Jack Johnson; boxing surviving World War II; the return of world champions to the ring; post – war boxing boom; and the effect of television on the future of boxing. |
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Click Here To See Fitzie's "BOXREC.COM" Information Page  Cleveland Middleweight Fitzie Fitzpatrick  Fitzie Main Street Gym – 1944  Fitzie prepares for the Main Event 
Fitzie Fitzpatrick
Jack Chase
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FRAGER EQUIPMENT World ranked Fitzie Fitzpatrick often used (Frager) top ranked professional boxing gloves and equipment. The name Frager can be seen on his boxing gloves in many of his big fight photos. For years Fitzie wore the same Frager boxing shorts, as seen in numerous pictures. The label on the front of the shorts can be seen fading each year. Sammy Frager, owner and glove maker, established his craft in Chicago, Illinois during the 1930’s through the mid 60’s. Sammy Frager was born in Constanta, Romania in the early 1900’s and immigrated to America. His small shop was located near Randolph Street in Chicago. All of his sheep or lamb skin gloves were custom made from a traced print of the fighter’s hand. Mail ordered custom gloves for many top boxers were a perfect fit, which were stitched on a couple of Singer sewing machines. Sammy took about six hours to produce a set of four fight gloves, which were than stuffed with goat hair. Later in the years Frager gloves would be filled with foam, similar to today’s modern fight gloves. The Liston – Ali fights in the early sixties used Frager gloves. Liston had a 15” fist and was a regular customer.
Today only Everlast and Reyes boxing gloves actually produce their own gear.
Nearly all other boxing equipment is made in China, Pakistan and Indonesia.
The true art of hand making boxing tools and equipment has gone with the wind,
just like Sammy Frager and Boxing’s Greatest Era.
********************************************************************************  Fitzie Pre-Fight Photo  Joe Stanley - Fitzie Fitzpatrick - Harry Gordon  Referee Barney Ross Gives Victory to Fitzie!  Ring Victory |
