Zilberschmidt was born in the Soviet Union where he learned to box. He won a junior title in Ukraine in 1971. Haim soon immigrated to Israel. In 1973, he took part in the Maccabiah Games. During his fight against Pete Brodsky (who would later train Cletus Seldin), an American team doctor slugged an Israeli official, causing a chaotic scene. Despite the out-of-the-ring antics, Zilberschmidt stayed focused and beat Brodsky by TKO.
Zilberschmidt hoped to make something of himself as a professional, so he next settled in France. There, he signed with respected manager Ben Said.
On May 31, 1975, Haim faced Frances Dupuy in a light heavyweight bout. Zilberschmidt's debut was going just fine against the French Dupuy, a fourteen-fight veteran. In the third round, Zilberschmidt walloped Dupuy with a fight-ending blow. Unfortunately, the punch was called low and Zilberschmidt was disqualified.
Nearly a month later, Zilberschmidt tried again. This time he faces Sjeng "Jimmy" Verstappen of the Netherlands. A southpaw, Verstappen had a good record of 8-2-1 and a good left. That left introduced Zilberschmidt to the canvas in the first round. Haim fell nose first and was down for the count.
Zilberschmidt next surfaced in Israel where he joined the national amateur team. While boxers can vacillate between the pro and amateur ranks these days, in the 1970s two pro fights should have precluded a return to amateur status.
Nevertheless, Zilberschmidt stopped Alfred Kohler in June of 1976 to help Israel beat the Swiss team 14-6 in St. Gallen, Switzerland. And then perhaps, he was found out.
A successful amateur boxer, Haim Zilberschmidt's pro career did not go as hoped.
Sources
"Défaite des boxeurs suisses à Saint-Gall." L'Impartial. Jun. 21, 1976. Pg. 15.
"Haymaker Opens Maccabiah Row." Oakland Tribune. Jul 13, 1973. Pg. 50.
Rookie, Dick. "European Heavyweights Flounder After Bugner's Yawner with Ali." Boxing Illustrated. Nov. 1975. Pgs. 24-25.
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