Johnny Wilson (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Johnny Wilson was born Giovanni Panica on March 23, 1893 in New York City
. He was a professional boxer who fought from 1911 until 1926. The highlight of Wilson's career came when he captured the world middleweight
championship by defeating Mike O'Dowd
by decision over 12 rounds on May 6, 1920. Wilson held the crown until he was outpointed over 15 rounds by the all-time great Harry Greb
.
After retiring from the ring, Wilson was involved in the ownership/management of several successful nightclubs in New York and Boston. Wilson died on December 8, 1985.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was a professional boxer who fought from 1911 until 1926. The highlight of Wilson's career came when he captured the world middleweight
Middleweight
Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have begun in the 1840s. In the bare-knuckle era, the first middleweight championship fight was between Tom Chandler and Dooney Harris in 1897...
championship by defeating Mike O'Dowd
Mike O'Dowd
Mike O'Dowd was the Middleweight Champion of the World from 1917 to 1920. He won the title on November 14, 1917 by knocking out Al McCoy in the sixth round...
by decision over 12 rounds on May 6, 1920. Wilson held the crown until he was outpointed over 15 rounds by the all-time great Harry Greb
Harry Greb
Harry Greb was an American boxer. He was World Middleweight boxing Champion from 1923 to 1926 and American Light Heavyweight title holder 1922–1923. He fought a recorded 303 times in his 13 year-career, against the best opposition the talent-rich 1910s & 20s could provide him, frequently squaring...
.
After retiring from the ring, Wilson was involved in the ownership/management of several successful nightclubs in New York and Boston. Wilson died on December 8, 1985.