Victor Perez (Tunisian boxer)

Victor "Young" Perez (born October 18, 1911, in Tunis, Tunisia; died March, 1945, in Auschwitz, Poland) was a Tunisian boxer.

Perez was World Flyweight Champion in 1931 and 1932.

Boxing career

The 5'1", 110-pound puncher captured the French Flyweight title in Paris in June 1931.

In October of the same year, he won the International Boxing Union’s version of the World Flyweight crown with a 2nd-round knockout of American champion Frankie Genaro.

After losing his title one year later to England’s Jackie Brown, Perez moved up to the bantamweight class, but lost a championship bout decision to Panama’s Al Brown in February 1934.

He continued to box until December 1938.

His professional record: 133 bouts — W: 92 (28 KOs), L: 26, Draw: 15.

Auschwitz

Perez arrived at Auschwitz on October 10, 1943, as part of "Convoy 60" a group of 1,000 prisoners shipped from Drancy, France. While at Auschwitz, Perez was forced to particpate in boxing matches for the amusement of the Nazis. By 1945, Perez was one of just 31 survivors of the original 1,000. In March 1945 the Camp was evacuated.

The Nazis shot and killed Perez on the ensuing " Death March."

Hall of Fame

He was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.[1]

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