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I don’t know of any story that is better suited to a Steven Spielberg script: The Mystery with the Thundering Fists … 70 fights, 58 wins, 10 losses, 2 draws. The story doesn’t say much more about Fritzli.
Boxing, according to the prevailing opinion, is the sport of loudmouths. Fritz Chervet was living proof of the opposite.
The little man with the big heart was the European flyweight champion and he boxed twice for the world championship against one of the best 50kg fighters in history, Thai Chartchai Chionoi. In May 1973, Fritz Chervet injured his eyebrow in Bangkok, probably from an involuntary header, and had to retire in the fifth round.
A year later, he delivered Chionoi to the Hallenstadion in Zurich for 15 rounds, the best fight to ever take place on Swiss soil. With a slightly more inclined judge, Fritzli would have left the ring as world champion back then, so it was only enough for a draw, which left the Thai with the title.
Chervet comes from a humble family
In 1973 I wrote a book on Fritz Chervet together with my colleague from Wales, Serge Dournow. It was the hardest job of my life, every word the little fighter said had to be fought hard.
He came from a large family and a modest background. Boxing was the family tradition. As a teenager he appeared in the boxing cellar of Bernese coach and philosopher Charly Bühler. His wish: “Mr. Bühler, become a professional.”
Charly was developing his own style. He hated when his students got hit on the head. After all, half of Bern’s celebrities met in their basement, who also didn’t like showing up to the next gathering with blue eyes.
Fast legs, incredible reaction speed.
Charly developed his style with Fritz, an almost impenetrable double cover. Fritzli perfected the style that catapulted him to the top of the world, which was a sensational achievement for the ultra-fast flyweights of Asia and South America.
Fritz Chervet: Hidden behind two fists, which he held almost above his head to cover his face, he looked at his opponent like a mongoose or a cobra, patiently waiting for each nude. So – ping, pang, hit, hit. His very fast legs and almost incredible speed of reaction did the rest.
Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, the two iron skulls that Fritz Chervet and Charly Bühler fell off, Fritzli resigned, became assistant and wardrobe in the Bundeshaus, informed all who were interested that this was his dream job …
Died of a collapse
In 2007 he retired. She lived in her little house on Lake Murten. Whenever someone asked her about her career, she always gave the same answer: “Oh, that was not that important.”
Every now and then we would go to Thailand. To Chartchai Chionoi, who fell ill with Parkinson’s a few years ago and died. Fritzli loved the simple life and silence. He spent the last few years in a nursing home. On Saturday he collapsed and died at the Meyriez-Murten hospital.
Fritz Chervet. The best Swiss boxer of all time. Fritz Chervet the most unknown champion of all time.
