Jewish boxer Dustin Fleischer, who said his quest is to become the first world champion descended from a Holocaust survivor, stayed unbeaten with a first-round knockout.
Fleischer, nicknamed “The White Tiger,” moved to 4-0 with the defeat of Ira Frank on Saturday night in Beach Haven, New Jersey, near his home, he reported after the fight on his Facebook page. The 26-year-old welterweight has won all his bouts by knockout.
His father, Phillip, himself a former boxer and the son of a Holocaust survivor, served as his trainer and cornerman for the fight.
Fleischer entered the ring wearing a gold Star of David necklace with a red jewel that had been owned by his late survivor grandfather.
“I am his blood, he’s part of me, he gives me strength,” Fleischer told JTA in an interview two days before the bout. “I know the odds he conquered to survive in the Holocaust, and I know I can conquer the odds to become a world champion.”
Jewish fans in North America, Israel and Great Britain regularly show their support, he told JTA.
