Johnny Buff

Johnny Buff (June 12, 1888 – January 14, 1955) was an American boxer. He was World Bantamweight Champion from 1921 to 1922. In 1921, Buff won both the Bantamweight Championship of the World and the Flyweight Championship of the World. He became the flyweight champion by defeating Frankie Mason in New Orleans on February 11, 1921. Seven months later, on September 23, 1921, he won the bantamweight title by defeating Pete Herman in Madison Square Ga... more

Johnny Buff (June 12, 1888 – January 14, 1955) was an American boxer. He was World Bantamweight Champion from 1921 to 1922. In 1921, Buff won both the Bantamweight Championship of the World and the Flyweight Championship of the World. He became the flyweight champion by defeating Frankie Mason in New Orleans on February 11, 1921. Seven months later, on September 23, 1921, he won the bantamweight title by defeating Pete Herman in Madison Square Garden. He lost both titles in 1922. 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 by 1928. In the military he was... less