Tom Zbikowski's Boxing Debut

SI Staff | Jun 12, 2006

Tom Zbikowski's Boxing Debut /

Tom Zbikowski's Boxing Debut

Tom Zbikowski heads to the ring for his first professional boxing match last Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The fight was attended by over 50 members of Notre Dame's football team including Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija, who led their teammate to the ring.

Zbikowski connects with a left hook to his opponent, Robert Bell, during their Heavyweight bout last Saturday.

Zbikowski lands a right hook to the face of the 32-year-old Bell, ending the fight after a mere 49 seconds.

The referee calls for the bell after Zbikowski's second knockdown. "I worked hard the last six, seven weeks," said the Notre Dame safety after the fight. "I wanted to prove that I was more than just a football player."

Zbikowski celebrates after winning his professional boxing debut. The 21-year-old Notre Dame receiver earned $25,000 for the fight.

In addition to being a professional boxer, Notre Dame's Tom Zbikowski is a third-team All-America at safety and one of the nation's best punt returners.

Published Jun 12, 2006

SI STAFF