Al Hostak

Al "the Savage Slav" Hostak (born January 7, 1916) was an American born middleweight boxer who fought from 1932-1949. Hostak was known as a hard puncher and had a record of 63 wins (42 KOs), 9 losses and 12 draws.

Hostak captured the National Boxing Association Middleweight crown on July 26, 1938 when he KO'ed Freddie Steele in the first round. Hostak then lost the title to Solly Krieger on a 15 round majority decision on November 1, 1938. He broke both hands early in the bout, and was knocked down for the first time in his career in the 14th round. Hostak avenged this loss when he regained the title from Krieger by a scoring a TKO in the fourth round on June 27, 1939.

Hostak lost his title for good when he was TKO'ed by Tony Zale on July 19, 1940. He fought Zale in a savage rematch on May 28, 1941. Hostak knocked Zale down in the first round, but "The Man Of Steel", rebounded to knock Hostak down eight times in the second round on his way to scoring a KO victory.

Hostak made the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.