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.Tyson, M., Sloman, L., Sloman, P. (2013). Undisputed Truth: Subtitle TK. United States: Penguin Group US. His punches caused Tyson's left ear to swell to three times its normal size after their fight.Wiley, R. (2000). Serenity: A Boxing Memoir. United Kingdom: University of Nebraska Press. "Zouski is a game guy," said Tyson. "However, this was my worst performance ever. Mentally, I was not prepared."Gutteridge, R., Giller, N. (1987). Mike Tyson: For Whom the Bell Tolls. United Kingdom: W.H. Allen.
Following his fight against Tyson, Zouski stepped into the ring with South African heavyweight Johnny du Plooy.Who's who of Southern Africa. (1995). South Africa: Argus Printing & Publishing Company.
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.McCoyd, E. (1997). To Live and Dream: The Incredible Story of George Foreman. United States: New Street Publishing. Zouski was stopped by Foreman via a technical knockout at 2:47 of the fourth round.Fitzgerald, M., Ehrmann, P. (2004). The Ageless Warrior: The Life of Boxing Legend Archie Moore. United States: Sports Pub..
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.
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes49Win31–18Jim WisniewskiTKO3 (6), 2:49Apr 199148Loss31–17Corrie SandersUD8Nov 199047Win31–16Andre McCallPTS6May 199046Win31–16Steve MorminoUD6Apr 199045Loss30–16Tommy MorrisonUD4Jun 198944Win29–16Ricky NelsonPTS6May 198943Win28–16Danny BlakeUD6Apr 198942Win27–16Mike RussellUD6Feb 198941Loss26–16James PritchardTKO4Mar 198840Loss26–15Mike EvansUD10Feb 198839Loss26–14José RibaltaUD10Sep 198738Loss26–13Mike EvansUD10Aug 198737Loss26–12George ForemanTKO4Mar 198736Loss26–11Johnny du PlooyTKO4Oct 198635Loss26–10Mike TysonKO3, 2:39Mar 198634Win26–9Mark LeeUD10Oct 198533Loss25–9Lee CanalitoRTD7Sep 198532Loss25–8Bennie KnoetzeRTD5Mar 198431Loss25–7Lee Roy MurphyUD10Dec 198330Win24–6Bill HollisUD10Nov 11, 198328Loss23–6Mike PerkinsUD6Jun 198327Loss23–5Scott FrankUD10Jan 198326Loss23–4Tony TubbsRTD4Sep 198225Loss23–3Pat CuilloMD10Jun 198224Win23–2Johnny WarrPTS6Apr 198223Win22–2Barry FunchesPTS6Feb 198222Loss21–2Marvis FrazierTKO6May 198121Win21–1Tyrone HarleePTS6Mar 198120Win20–1Claman ParkerPTS6Feb 198119Win19–1Henry PattersonPTS6Dec 198018Win18–1Johnny WarrPTS6Nov 198017Win17–1Rodell DupreePTS6Oct 198016Win16–1Kid SamsonPTS6Sep 198015Win15–1Greg SorrentinoPTS6Aug 198014Win14–1Mike BoswellPTS6Jun 198013Win13–1Don HalpinPTS6Apr 198012Loss12–1Leroy BoonePTS6Feb 198011Win12–0Bobby JonesPTS6Sep 197910Win11–0Jose VerdejoPTS6Aug 19799Win10–0Johnny BlainePTS6May 19798Win9–0Johnny BlainePTS6Mar 19797Win8–0Joe MayePTS6Feb 19796Win7–0Joe MayePTS6Jan 19795Win6–0Johnny BlainePTS6Dec 19784Win5–0Tom LandryPTS6Nov 19783Win4–0Johnny BlainePTS6Oct 19782Win3–0Wayne BriscoePTS6Sep 19781Win2–0Sam MillerPTS6Sep 19780Win1–0Joe MayePTS6Aug 1978
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