Christoforidis, Anton

Antonis Khristoforidis was born May 26, 1917 in the city of Mersin in Anatolia (then the Ottoman Empire ), but spent the first years of his life in Smyrna . In 1922, he came to Athens ( Greece ) as a refugee with his mother and two sisters. Seven other members of his family died in the Asia Minor disaster . ^[3]

Anthony's childhood was very poor, since from an early age he remained an orphan: his father was killed in battle in Asia Minor, and his mother died in Greece shortly before 1930 . Therefore, he was forced to work at the Mistras Hotel to feed himself and his sisters, while at the same time attending classes at an evening school for poor children at the Parnassus Philological Society .

Once, having fought with a school friend, Antonis realized that he had good fighting qualities. At the instigation of his classmates, he enrolled in a boxing school, which was located in the basement on Asclepius Street in Athens, more to learn how to fight back than to become a professional athlete . However, for six months, the 16-year-old Christoforidis was already the best at school and began to earn his first money, acting as a professional boxer at matches that were organized in various Athenian theaters. Remaining invincible, and only over the experienced Athenian champion Katsidimas, unable to win, Christophoridis was recognized as equal in strength.

It was recognized by everyone that the Athenian rings were very “small” for young talent. And then the young boxer raised money and in November 1934 , at the age of 17, he decided to go to Paris in search of a better life, having heard about the Greek boxer Exarchopoulos, who had a good career there. Arriving at the place, Christoforidis began boxing with coach Pierre Gadon and soon succeeded greatly in training. During the year, everyone in the French capital was already talking about "Hristo," as Antonis was nicknamed. He began to participate in matches with increasingly eminent rivals, first in France and then in other European countries .

By 1934, Khristoforidis had eight victories and one draw, and in 1935, ten victories and one defeat from the athlete, over whom the Greek had won the match.

In 1936, the boxer began with two defeats on points, but continued to gain victories, demonstrating that the time was approaching to claim the European crown.

The young boxer was already famous and, of course, had great fame in Greece, from where he was invited to participate in matches. The manager did not allow him to go to his homeland, but Antonis, always speaking in a blue and white ( Greek flag ) t-shirt, disobeyed him and went to Athens, where he spent two fights in the crowded Palace Theater. In one of them, in the first minute he knocked out Romanian Dukulescu, disappointing the fans, as the match ended before he could start. Then, on November 8, 1937, a second match was planned, this time with Greek champion Kostas Vassis. The latter was able to withstand 12 rounds only because Christophoridis did not give his best to give the audience the opportunity to enjoy the fight. With a victory over Vassis, he became the holder of the lightweight boxing champion of Greece.

The battle of Christophoridis was historic on November 21, 1937 , in which he defeated the German Gustav Eder. This match, held in Berlin , was attended by Adolf Hitler , who was forced to leave it before the end of the battle. ^{[2] [4]}

On November 14, 1938, Christoforidis won the European Heavyweight Boxing Championship. In the final, held at the stadium in Rotterdam ( Netherlands ), in the presence of 15,000 spectators, the Greek boxer defeated the European champion and 1928 Olympic champion Bep van Claverin, who hosted him at home. The superiority of Christophorides was also evident in the three-minute rounds. Especially after the 10th round, his opponent was forced to hold a passive position, trying to avoid a knockout, and by the end of the competition he was already reeling in blood. The Swiss referee immediately declared the Greek winner, which was recognized by the Dutch audience. Among them were also several Greek sailors, whose ships were fortunate enough to be in a large Dutch port, and who overjoyed celebrated the victory with their fellow countryman.

However, Christophoridis did not hold this title for long, losing it in the next match against the Frenchman Edouard Tenet in Paris. Being ahead on points throughout the fight, in the 11th round he broke his left arm and continued to resist with severe pain. Ultimately, by decision of the judges, he lost the title. After a full recovery, he tried to regain his crown, having spent a series of eight victories, which was interrupted by a defeat to future champion Jimmy Beavins. Christophoridis considered the recognition of this loss to be unfair and demanded a second contest. In a rematch, he won a clear victory, and for Beavins it was the only defeat in his career. ^[five]

In 1940 , with the invasion of the Germans in France, Christophoridis leaves for the USA. He settled in New York, continuing his matches there.

Performances in Europe, and especially the victory over Beavins, were the result of accepting the challenge to compete with Italian-American Melio Bettina for the world light heavyweight title ( NBA ). The battle took place on January 13, 1941 in Cleveland , Ohio . Bettina was the leader during the first 12 rounds, but in the last three rounds Christoforidis launched a counterattack and unanimously decided to win points on points before the audience that remained unconscious with admiration of the audience of American Greeks.

He retained his world title, successively defeating Italians Italo Colonello and Joni “Bandit” Romero, and lost it to Gas Lesnevich on May 22, 1941 , losing on points. Although this was not an official fight for the title, the federation stated that Christophoridis had lost it. This was the beginning of the sunset of his career.

A few months later, on January 12, 1942 , he suffered his first knockout defeat from the future legend of Ezzard Charles in Cincinnati ( Ohio ).

February 18, 1947 hosted the last match of Christophoridis, in which he met with Estonian Anton Raadik.

He ended his career with 55 wins (13 by KO), 15 losses (3 by KO) and 8 draws.

After leaving the ring, he opened a restaurant in the city of Geneva ( Ashtabula , Ohio , USA ), which worked for many years.

In 1968, he sold his property in Ohio and moved to Florida , where he lived in retirement.

In 1971 , after 34 years, he returned to Greece. Although he intended to stay there for 45 days, nostalgia and love for Greece persuaded Christophoridis to extend his stay in his homeland, and in the end he stayed there forever, spending his free time, mainly, playing golf .

Twice was in failed marriages.

Until the end of his life he lived in Athens, where he died on October 31, 1985 from a heart attack at the age of 67.

• Ο αετός της παγκόσμιας πυγμαχίας, του Γιάννη Σπ. Σούκου, Βιβλιοπρομηθευτική.
• Περιοδικό Αctive, Τεύχος 94, Φεβρουάριος 2006.