Bela Szilagyi
Béla Szilágyi (1934–2012) was a Hungarian-born classical pianist and private archivist best known for assembling one of the largest personal collections of boxing footage in the world.
In 1979, Szilágyi began recording televised boxing matches using a Quasar VCR, initiating what would become a four-decade endeavor. His collection ultimately grew to encompass over 8,000 VHS tapes and 4,000 DVDs, cataloging more than 55,000 bouts across all weight classes and eras. The archive was housed in his Manhattan apartment, where tapes were meticulously labeled and stacked from floor to ceiling.
Following his death in 2012, the collection was maintained by his wife, who continued to safeguard its contents. The archive has since drawn interest from historians, journalists, and collectors for its breadth, rarity, and historical value.