Gus Lesnevich
Born(1915-02-22)February 22, 1915
Cliffside Park, New Jersey
DiedFebruary 28, 1964(1964-02-28) (aged 49)
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
ReachGustav George Lesnevich
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights80
Wins61
Wins by KO23
Losses14
Draws5

Gustav George Lesnevich (February 22, 1915 – February 28, 1964) was an American boxer who held the World Light Heavyweight Championship.

Boxing career

Lesnevich was born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.[1] He turned pro in 1934 and in 1939 took on World Light Heavyweight champion Billy Conn, but lost a decision. In 1941 he took on Anton Christoforidis, winning the NBA light heavyweight title by decision. Later that year he defended the title twice against Tami Mauriello, winning both decisions to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion.[2] In 1948 he lost a decision to Freddie Mills along with his title recognition. In 1949 he took on Ezzard Charles, but was TKO'd in the 7th, and retired after the bout.

In addition to his various accolades, Lesnevich was named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1947.

Lesnevich served in the United States Coast Guard from 1943 to 1945.

Professional boxing record

80 fights 61 wins 14 losses
By knockout 23 5
By decision 38 9
Draws 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round(s) Date Location Notes
80 Loss 61–14–5 Ezzard Charles RTD 7 (15) Aug 10, 1949 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. For NBA heavyweight title
79 Loss 61–13–5 Joey Maxim UD 15 May 23, 1949 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. For vacant NBA American light heavyweight title
78 Win 61–12–5 Eldridge Eatman KO 1 (10) Mar 3, 1949 Mosque Theater, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
77 Loss 60–12–5 Freddie Mills PTS 15 Jul 26, 1948 White City Stadium, White City, London, England Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
76 Win 60–11–5 Billy Fox KO 1 (15) Mar 5, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
75 Win 59–11–5 Tami Mauriello TKO 7 (10) Oct 31, 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
74 Win 58–11–5 Tami Mauriello UD 10 Jul 30, 1947 Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
73 Win 57–11–5 Melio Bettina KO 1 (10) May 23, 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
72 Win 56–11–5 Billy Fox TKO 10 (15) Feb 28, 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
71 Loss 55–11–5 Bruce Woodcock KO 8 (10) Sep 17, 1946 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
70 Win 55–10–5 Freddie Mills TKO 10 (15) May 14, 1946 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
69 Loss 54–10–5 Lee Oma TKO 5 (10) Feb 22, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68 Win 54–9–5 Joe Kahut KO 1 (10) Jan 11, 1946 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
67 Loss 53–9–5 Jimmy Bivins UD 10 Mar 11, 1942 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
66 Loss 53–8–5 Bob Pastor SD 15 Jan 30, 1942 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
65 Win 53–7–5 Tami Mauriello SD 15 Nov 14, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
64 Win 52–7–5 Tami Mauriello SD 15 Aug 26, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NBA light heavyweight title;
Won vacant NYSAC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
63 Win 51–7–5 Anton Christoforidis UD 15 May 22, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won NBA light heavyweight title
62 Win 50–7–5 Nathan Mann UD 10 Feb 27, 1941 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
61 Win 49–7–5 Jack Marshall KO 4 (10) Dec 16, 1940 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
60 Loss 48–7–5 Al Delaney PTS 10 Nov 23, 1940 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
59 Win 48–6–5 Henry Cooper RTD 4 (10) Sep 5, 1940 Belmont Park, Garfield, New Jersey, U.S.
58 Win 47–6–5 Wally Sears PTS 10 Jul 22, 1940 Belmont Park, Garfield, New Jersey, U.S.
57 Loss 46–6–5 Billy Conn UD 15 Jun 5, 1940 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
56 Win 46–5–5 Dave Clark UD 10 Jan 1, 1940 Fair Grounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
55 Loss 45–5–5 Billy Conn UD 15 Nov 17, 1939 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
54 Win 45–4–5 Dave Clark KO 1 (10) Jun 22, 1939 Velodrome, Nutley, New Jersey, U.S.
53 Win 44–4–5 Larry Lane PTS 10 May 15, 1939 Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
52 Win 43–4–5 Bob Olin PTS 12 Feb 2, 1939 Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
51 Win 42–4–5 Alabama Kid RTD 9 (12) Jan 13, 1939 Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
50 Win 41–4–5 Ambrose Palmer PTS 12 Dec 8, 1938 Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
49 Loss 40–4–5 Ron Richards PTS 15 Oct 27, 1938 Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
48 Win 40–3–5 Stanley Hasrato KO 1 (10) Jun 16, 1938 Miller Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
47 Win 39–3–5 Buddy Ryan PTS 10 Jun 1, 1938 Miller Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, U.S.
46 Win 38–3–5 Lou Brouillard PTS 10 Mar 23, 1938 Hippodrome, New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 37–3–5 Jack Kirkland KO 1 (10) Feb 24, 1938 Beach Arena, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
44 Win 36–3–5 Ben Brown UD 10 Feb 8, 1938 Coliseum, Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.
43 Draw 35–3–5 Joey Parks PTS 10 Jan 7, 1938 Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
42 Win 35–3–4 Herbie Katz PTS 8 Nov 19, 1937 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
41 Draw 34–3–4 Allen Matthews MD 10 Oct 5, 1937 Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
40 Win 34–3–3 Alabama Kid PTS 10 Sep 3, 1937 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
39 Win 33–3–3 Atilio Sabatino PTS 10 Aug 24, 1937 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
38 Win 32–3–3 Young Stuhley PTS 10 Jun 22, 1937 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
37 Win 31–3–3 Johnny Romero KO 7 (10) May 14, 1937 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
36 Loss 30–3–3 Young Corbett III TKO 5 (10) Mar 12, 1937 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
35 Win 30–2–3 Tony Celli PTS 8 Feb 20, 1937 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Loss 29–2–3 Freddie Steele TKO 2 (10) Nov 17, 1936 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
33 Win 29–1–3 Young Stuhley KO 9 (10) Nov 4, 1936 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
32 Draw 28–1–3 Marty Simmons PTS 10 Oct 23, 1936 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
31 Win 28–1–2 Carmen Barth PTS 10 Oct 9, 1936 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
30 Win 27–1–2 Ray Actis PTS 10 Aug 21, 1936 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
29 Win 26–1–2 Louie Rogers TKO 1 (6) Jun 19, 1936 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
28 Win 25–1–2 Johnny Sikes TKO 1 (6) May 29, 1936 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
27 Win 24–1–2 Sammy Christian PTS 4 May 19, 1936 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
26 Win 23–1–2 Frankie Caris PTS 10 Apr 13, 1936 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
25 Draw 22–1–2 Frankie Caris PTS 10 Mar 16, 1936 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 22–1–1 Billy Hood PTS 8 Mar 11, 1936 Beach Arena, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
23 Win 21–1–1 Eddie Whalen TKO 5 (10) Feb 4, 1936 Braddock Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
22 Win 20–1–1 Butch Lynch PTS 10 Dec 17, 1935 Braddock Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 19–1–1 Frank LoBianco PTS 8 Dec 14, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 18–1–1 Tony Celli PTS 8 May 25, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Win 17–1–1 Tom Chester PTS 8 May 4, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 16–1–1 Jimmy Varrelli PTS 8 Apr 13, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Draw 15–1–1 John Andersson PTS 6 Mar 22, 1935 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 John Andersson PTS 8 Mar 2, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Jackie Aldare PTS 8 Feb 2, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Win 13–1 Bucky Lawless KO 2 (8) Jan 12, 1935 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 12–1 Jackie Aldare PTS 8 Dec 29, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 11–1 Stanley Willardson PTS 6 Dec 8, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Loss 10–1 Jackie Aldare SD 6 Nov 24, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Tom Chester PTS 6 Nov 3, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Mark Hough PTS 6 Oct 13, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Charley Weise PTS 6 Sep 22, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Nicky Williams PTS 6 Sep 13, 1934 Teterboro Airdrome, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Frankie Cal TKO 2 (6) Jul 23, 1934 Oakland Outdoor Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Roy Frisco PTS 6 Jun 16, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Willie Kline PTS 6 Jun 9, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Jimmy Calabrese KO 1 (6) May 29, 1934 Kennel Track, Fort Lee, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Sid Cohen TKO 3 (6) May 19, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Justin Hoffman TKO 2 (6) May 5, 1934 Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.

See also

References

  1. ^ via Associated Press. "Billy Conn Punches Out Decision Over Lesnevich: Pittsburgh Fighter Successfully Defends Light-heavyweight Title Through Superior Boxing Ability Before Small Crowd at Detroit", Hartford Courant, June 6, 1940. Accessed March 22, 2011. "Billy Conn, the smiling, dancing Irishman from Pittsburgh, successfully defended his world's light heavyweight boxing championship tonight by beating out a close 15-round decision over Gus Lesnevich, plodding challenger from Cliffside Park..."
  2. ^ "Gus Lesnevich - The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia". Cyber Boxing Zone.

External links

Achievements Preceded byAnton Christoforidis NBA Light Heavyweight Champion May 22, 1941– July 26, 1948 Succeeded byFreddie Mills Preceded byBilly ConnVacated NYSAC Light Heavyweight Champion August 26, 1941 – July 26, 1948 World Light Heavyweight Champion August 26, 1941 – July 26, 1948
The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year
Sugar Ray Robinson Award
Authority control databases
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