Pete Podgorski

Pete Podgorski (born December 1953) is a former amateur and professional - Junior Welterweight, Welterweight & light middleweight boxer, as well as a boxing official.

Family history research finds family name listed as both Podgorski and Podgorsky, with his mother's family name listed as La Montagne.

As an amateur, Podgorski compiled a 45-12 record, along with twenty knockouts, The 1972 C.Y.O. Catholic Youth Organization Welterweight Champion, 1973 Fox Valley, Wisconsin Golden Gloves Champion, and 1977 C.P.D. Chicago Park District Open division 156 lb. Champion also fought as a member of the United States national boxing teams. Occasionally nicknamed the "Polish Hammer" and "The Percentage Man", he is of Polish, Russian, Irish and French descent. Mothers last name was, La Montagne.[1] As a professional boxer, Podgorski compiled a 22-14 record with sixteen knockouts

Pete is son of Raymond Podgorski a retired member of local 134 IBEW. Pete's grandfather on his Dad's side was Ed Podgorski/Podgorsky and his grandfather on his mother's side was Leo La Montagne.

Podgorski worked for the Chicago Park District as a Physical Education Instructor and as a Park Supervisor of Recreation. In addition he was a Chairman for amateur boxing for the North Region and also an area chairman for baseball. Pete coached several house, All-Star & traveling youth baseball teams, such as his 8 yr. old Indians 1990 (19-1) team, Cardinals 1991 Champions and 11-12 old Dunham Park Midget Division Championship team. In addition he managed the traveling Crusaders 12 year old team in 1995 and also Co-managed the Diamonds 13 yr. old traveling baseball team in 1996 which won several tournaments, including the annual Thillens Championship tournament. In addition Podgorski taught Physical Education classes part-time for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Most of the years were spent at Saint. John Bosco and Saint Josaphat's elementary schools on Chicago's North side. Before working at Saint John Bosco Podgorski got his start at Saint ITA on Chicago's N.E. Side Lakefront. Pete filled in for his Park Supervisor Mr. Ed Zegan who was the P.E. person at Saint. ITA and needed to take off the 2nd half of the semester due to his an illness of his wife. Pete worked the rest of that school year at Saint ITA before taking the job at Saint John Bosco the following school year.

Other members of the family include brothers, Leo and Stan both who fought as amateurs and professionals. Leo winning the Chicago Park District Open title after winning a Novice City Championship in the Chicago Golden Gloves. Later Leo Podgorski hand a handful of professional bouts. The youngest of the family Stan, was a CPD sectional champion and had 10 pro bouts. Also in the Podgorski family was Raymond Podgorski the father of Stan, Leo and Pete who had one amateur contest. Other Podgorski boxers were Mike and Matthew Podgorski sons of Pete Podgorski. Michael Podgorski went undefeated at 11-0 all Chicago Park District bouts, including a City Championship versus Frank Tafoya who later boxed as a successful professional. Matthew the eldest brother and son of Pete Podgorski won the Chicago Park District and Chicago Golden Gloves. Matthew retired as an amateur boxer with a final amateur record of 27 -6. He later went on to officiate amateur boxing and after that worked as a professional judge and referee. Podgorski who would be called a number-guy in the business world is the creator of what has become known as the Pod-Index a way to view the judges scores in world title bouts. Major boxing States such as California and Nevada have contracts and use the Pod-Index to help see which are the most consistent professional boxing judges.

Along with boxing, Pete Podgorski is involved in the political arena. Pete was elected in March 2012 as Committeeman (R) of Chicago's 36th ward. The city of Chicago was re-zoned leaving Podgorski in the 38th ward. Podgorski again, was re-elected, this time as Committeeman of Chicago's 38th ward (R) in March 2016.

Podgorski officiated amateur & professional boxing. He last officiated in April 2016. To date Pete Podgorski has officiated 64 World Title bouts and well over 100 total title bouts for World and Regional titles. At the end of May 2016 at the International Boxing Federation convention in Beijing China, Podgorski was elected to the International Boxing Federation IBF/USBA Board of Directors.[2]