Franz Csandl

During his career in the boxing ring Franz Csandl had 26 professional fights, winning 23 of them, including nine by knockout. Csandl boxed for BC Wien, becoming the Austrian champion in the light-middleweight in 1971 and 1972. Later the same year he competed at the 1972 München Olympics but lost his opening fight to Cuba’s Rolando Garbey on points.

Shortly after the Olympics Csandl turned professional, winning his first fight, beating Hans Michel of Germany by knockout in the first round. Csandl went undefeated in his first 18 fights, racking up victories against the Italian champion Domenico Tiberia, the French champion Francis Vermandere, and the German champion Randolph Hombach. This impressive run earned Csandl a shot at the European light-middleweight title against Spain’s José Manuel Durán in January 1975. The bout went the full 15 rounds with Durán retaining his title on points.

Despite the loss, Csandl continued to fight his way back into title contention by winning his next four fights. This included registering victories against American boxers Denny Moyer and Eddie Perkins, who both retired from the sport after losing to the Austrian. Csandl’s second title shot came against the German champion Eckhard Dagge in November 1975, with Dagge winning the fight in the seventh round. Csandl had two more bouts as a professional, winning the first by knockout, and losing the second on points, before hanging up his gloves for good in 1976.