JW
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
American boxer
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
23 March 1893(Harlem, USA)
Death:
8 December 1985(Boston, USA)
Star sign:
The details
Biography
Introduction
Johnny Wilson was born Giovanni Francesco Panica on March 23, 1893 in Harlem, 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.
Cameo
In 1970 Wilson had a short appearing in Michelangelo Antonioni's Zabriskie Point movie (at 00:42' in Italian edition), when he was 77.
Notable bouts
| Result | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | Maxie Rosenbloom | UD | 10 | 1926-10-04 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | |
| Loss | Maxie Rosenbloom | PTS | 12 | 1926-08-27 | Coney Island Stadium, Brooklyn, New York | |
| Loss | Harry Greb | PTS | 10 | 1925-04-17 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts | |
| Loss | Tiger Flowers | TKO | 3 (10) | 1924-12-09 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | |
| Loss | Tommy Loughran | PTS | 10 | 1924-02-12 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts | |
| Loss | Harry Greb | UD | 15 | 1924-01-18 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | For lineal middleweight title |
| Loss | Harry Greb | UD | 15 | 1923-08-31 | Polo Grounds, New York, New York | Lost lineal middleweight title |
| Win | Mike O'Dowd | SD | 15 | 1921-03-17 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | Retained lineal middleweight title |
| Win | Mike O'Dowd | PTS | 12 | 1920-05-06 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts | Won lineal middleweight title |
| Win | Billy Murray | TKO | 2 (12) | 1920-03-08 | Casino Hall, Lynn, Massachusetts | |
| Win | Leo Houck | PTS | 12 | 1918-04-15 | Douglas A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts | |
| Loss | Leo Houck | PTS | 12 | 1918-03-11 | Douglas A.C., Chelsea, Massachusetts | |