| Johnny Buff | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | John Lesky |
| Nickname(s) | Johnny Buff |
| Rated at | Bantamweight |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | 12 June 1888 Perth Amboy, New Jersey USA |
| Died | 14 January 1955 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 88 |
| Wins | 35 |
| Wins by KO | 7 |
| Losses | 17 |
| Draws | 5 |
| No contests | 0 |
John "Johnny Buff" Lesky (June 12, 1888 – January 14, 1955) was an American boxer. He was World Bantamweight Champion from 1921 to 1922.[1]
Contents |
In 1921, Buff won both the World Bantamweight Championship and the American Flyweight Championship. He became the flyweight champion by defeating Abe Goldstein in New York City on March 31, 1921. Six months later, on September 23, he won the bantamweight title by defeating Pete Herman in Madison Square Garden. He lost both titles in 1922.[1]
He held wins over Tommy Gorman, Willie LaMorte, Midget Smith, Eddie O'Dowd, Frankie Dailey, Abe Goldstein, "Young" Zulu Kid, Charles Ledoux, "Little" Jack Sharkey and Benny Schwartz during his career.
Lesky enlisted into the United States Navy prior to World War I. When the war arrived, he waived the family exemption, and joined the Navy for a second time. After his professional boxing career, he enlisted for a third time in the Navy, becoming a gunner's mate on the USS Wyoming (BB-32) by 1928.
In the military he was known as "Gunner's Mate Spike Lisky", serving aboard the USS California (BB-44). It was said at the time that he was the only United States Navy sailor to have become a world champion.[2]
Lesky is the grandfather of modern-day boxing and MMA announcers Michael Buffer and Bruce Buffer. He married Elizabeth Lisky with whom he had three children: Jimmy, Johnny and Theresa. There were other grandchildren: Walter Palac, Cheryl Palac, and their cousins Jimmy, Mark and Jeannie Lisky.
| Vacant
Title last held by
Frankie Mason |
American Flyweight Champion March 31, 1921 – September 14, 1922 |
Succeeded by Pancho Villa |
| Preceded by Pete Herman |
World Bantamweight Champion September 21, 1921 – July 10, 1922 |
Succeeded by Joe Lynch |