Tony zale biography

KNOWN as "The Man of Steel," middleweight champion Tony Zale is best remembered for his thrilling three-fight series with fellow Hall of Famer Rocky Graziano.

Born Anthony Florian Zaleski, in Gary, Indiana, Zale opted for a boxing career rather than a lifetime spent working in Gary's steel mills. He worked the mills throughout his amateur career but turned to boxing full-time when he entered the pro ranks in 1934.

Anthony Florian Zaleski, known professionally as Tony Zale, was an American boxer.

Original name: Anthony Florian Zaleski ; Byname: Man of Steel ; Born: May 29, , Gary, Ind., U.S. ; Died: March 20, , Portage, Ind. (aged 83).

Anthony Florian Zaleski (May 29, – March 20, ), known professionally as Tony Zale, was an American boxer.

Born Anthony Florian Zaleski, in Gary, Indiana, Zale opted for a boxing career rather than a lifetime spent working in Gary's steel mills.

Tony Zale, known as 'The Man of Steel, a courageous fighter with a determined heart and a impressive left hook.

By 1939, Zale was considered a top-10 middleweight by virtue of splitting a four-fight series with contender Nate Bolden. He was considered impervious to pain. He managed to endure endless punishment and time and again would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

In 1940, he decisioned NBA middleweight champ Al Hostak in a non-title fight.

Zale was a two-time world middleweight champion (, ).

That win earned him a return match with Hostak. This time, with the belt on the line, Zale knocked Hostak out in the 13th to win the title.

Zale remained busy, splitting a pair of non-title fights with Billy Soose