Steve Zouski

Steve Zouski (born August 14, 1954) is an American former professional heavyweight boxer who competed from 1978 to 1991. Known for his toughness in the ring, he fought several prominent boxers, including Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and Tommy Morrison.

Early life and amateur career

Born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Zouski graduated from Lincoln High School in 1972.

While still in high school, he trained at Gust Boxing Gym in Auburndale.

Stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, in January 1974, the 19-year-old Marines enlistee was two years into a four-year term. On October 17–18, he won the light heavyweight title and most valuable boxer honors at the Commander, Naval Forces Japan tournament.

After his military service, he pursued diesel mechanics at Mid-State Technical Institute. While continuing to box, he captured the 1978 North Central Wisconsin Golden Gloves title. He competed in the AAU Senior National Boxing Championships in Biloxi, Mississippi. Set to face Greg Page, the defending champion, he lost by medical disqualification.

Zouski established himself as a promising boxer during his amateur career, amassing a record of 27 wins and 5 losses before transitioning to professional boxing.

Boxing career

Zouski, an orthodox fighter, made his pro debut in Boston in August 1978, fighting out of Brockton, Massachusetts. His early boxing career saw numerous bouts in the New England region. At the age of 26 and with a 15 (10 KOs)-1 record, Zouski took on undefeated Marvis Frazier (son of Joe Frazier) on May 11, 1981, at Madison Square Garden. During the fight, Zouski hit Frazier with two solid hooks and a right to the jaw in the first round, a hard straight right in the third, and a right uppercut and hook in the fourth. At 2:13 of the sixth round, following referee intervention, Zouski was stopped by the 20-year-old Frazier, who had his father Joe in his corner.

In 1983 in Chicago, Zouski notably fought all ten rounds with Lee Roy Murphy, who was 18-0 and became IBF Cruiserweight Champion shortly after.McNeil, W. (2014). The Rise of Mike Tyson, Heavyweight. United States: McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers.

In 1986, Zouski, who had 25 wins (14 KOs) - 9 losses, was scheduled for a ten-round bout with a 19 year old Mike Tyson at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Zouski weighed in at 210 pounds. Despite never being knocked down in previous fights, Zouski was defeated by knockout. At 2:49 of the third round on March 10, 1986, a series of uppercuts sent the 31 year old to the canvas. Tyson had sustained a cut on his ear earlier from a fall at a pigeon coop, and Zouski managed to hit the injured area a few times during the first two rounds. His punches caused Tyson's left ear to swell to three times its normal size after their fight. "Zouski is a game guy," said Tyson. "However, this was my worst performance ever. Mentally, I was not prepared."

Following his fight against Tyson, Zouski stepped into the ring with South African heavyweight Johnny du Plooy.

On March 3, 1987, Zouski faced a 267-pound George Foreman at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California, during Foreman's comeback after ten years out of the ring. Zouski was stopped by Foreman via a technical knockout at 2:47 of the fourth round.

After facing Mike Evans at the Las Vegas Hilton on August 1, 1987, Zouski fought José Ribalta later that November. He rematched Mike Evans in a ten-round bout in February 1988 at the Heights Banquet Hall in Chicago Heights. Zouski opened a cut on Evan's nose in the seventh round, while his left eye nearly closed by the end of the ninth. In the tenth round, a flurry knocked Zouski down for an eight-count, leading to his loss by decision. Evans commented afterward, "He (Zouski) is a tough fighter and he surprised me tonight." The following month, he went up against James Pritchard in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Zouski, at 34, took on undefeated Tommy Morrison in June 1989 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, suffering a knockdown in the fourth round and losing by unanimous decision. It was only the second time in his career that he had been knocked down.

On November 8, 1990, he lost a unanimous decision against South African fighter Corrie Sanders, who was 8–0, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi.

His last fight was in 1991, ending his career with 33 wins and 18 losses as a professional.

Boxing style

Zouski was known for his orthodox stance, toughness, and resilience inside the ring. Despite often entering fights as the underdog, he earned respect for his willingness to face elite opposition and his ability to withstand punishing attacks.

Later life

After retiring from boxing, Zouski pursued a career as an engineer, working for over 20 years at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. In 2006, he relocated to New Port Richey, Florida, to be closer to family, particularly to support one of his sons who is quadriplegic.

Professional boxing record

Zouski has a record of 16 wins by decision and 15 wins by knock-out and 10 losses by decision and 8 by knockout.

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Zouski, Steve
1954 births
Living people
Heavyweight boxers
People from Brockton, Massachusetts
Sportspeople from Brockton, Massachusetts
American male boxers
20th-century American sportsmen