Benny Valger

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New York Times sports page on February 26th, 1920. Headline reads "Johnny Kilbane Outpointed by Benny Valger in Their Eight-Round Bout at Newark." Article begins "'French Flash'" Has Better of Bout with Featherweight Champion in Newark."
New York Times sports page on February 26th, 1920. Headline reads "Johnny Kilbane Outpointed by Benny Valger in Their Eight-Round Bout at Newark." Article begins "'French Flash'" Has Better of Bout with Featherweight Champion in Newark."

Benjamin "Benny" Valger (September 29, 1898-October 1972), nicknamed "The French Flash", was an American professional featherweight boxer who fought from the late 1910s until the 1930s.

He was born in Paris, France to Jewish parents who had immigrated to there from Russia. He moved to the United States when he was a child.

[edit] Boxing career

Valger was known for his great speed in the ring (hence the nickname "French Flash").

His professional record was 77 wins and only 15 losses.

Three of his matches were draws [1]. One of his major career highlights came in 1916, when he won the US Men's Boxing Championships in the 115 pound division [2].

On February 25th, 1920, in a bout in Newark, New Jersey, Valger outpointed the reigning featherweight champion, Johnny Kilbane. However, because Valger did not knock out Kilbane, Kilbane got to keep the title.