Johnny Buff
John Lesky
Born: June 12, 1888
Perth Amboy, New Jersey
John Lesky, known in the boxing world as Johnny Buff,
was a good little battler and one of the master mechanics of his era. He became the American flyweight champion by defeating Frankie Mason in New Orleans
on February 11, 1921. Seven months later, he won the bantamweight title by defeating Pete Herman in Madison Square Garden.
He lost both titles in the only bouts he fought in 1922. He is shown in the photo above (right), with referee Patsey Haley, as he squares off against
Pancho Villa in New York on September 14, 1922. Villa took his title from him
with an 11th round KO.
wshubb@jps.net
Copyright (c) William B. Shubb, 1998. All rights reserved.
