The 1950’s turned out so many talented middleweight contenders. This was back in day when the best fought the best to earn a shot at the world title. Among those who battled for honor and glory was a German named Franz Szuzina.
Franz was born in Germany in 1930. He became a professional boxer in 1950. By 1951 he had 12-2-2 record and challenged Peter Mueller for the German title. Franz lost the verdict but he battled his way back to another shot at the German title. In 1952 dropped a decision to reigning champion Hans Stretz. In 1953 Franz suffered his first knockout defeat at the hands of undefeated Gustov Scholz.
Franz continued to meet tough competition in Germany over the next few years including a trilogy with Willi Besmanoff. He then traveled to England and dropped a duke to Pat McAteer. Then it was over France where he lost to Charles Humez.In 1956 Franz invaded the United States. He fought a draw with Charley Cotton and then he met future world champion Joey Giardello. The crafty Giardello won a decision over his rugged adversary. Franz then defeated Al Andrews but lost a tough one to Billy Kilgore. Franz finished 1956 by stopping Cotton in a rematch.
1957 was a roller coaster year for Szuzina. He dropped three straight to Bobby Lane,future welterweight champ Virgil Akins and Bobby Boyd. He then defeated Akins and the always tough Randy Sandy. He finished the year with another loss to Boyd. In 1958 Franz would lose two very hard fought battles against Giardello. In July Franz was to meet former middleweight champion Gene Fullmer at Madison Square Garden. The fight fell through and Spider Webb subsituted for Fullmer. For only the second time in his career Franz failed to go the distance as Webb won in round seven. Franz would finish the year with another win over Sandy and a loss to Rory Calhoun.
Szuzina would stay active but in 1961 he was outscored by Henry Hank and Calhoun again. Those were his last fights. In all Franz answered the bell 86 times and posted a respectable record of 48-23-15. He won 25 by the kayo route and was only stopped twice. Franz passed away on June 29,2008.
Franz Szuzina’s daughter Natalie has a great tribute page to her father on Facebook.
