Johnny Greco

Johnny Greco (19231954) was a Canadian former professional welterweight boxer who won the Canadian welterweight boxing championship in 1946.

Early life Johnny Greco was born to an Italian family in 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Greco's father was an acrobat who encouraged Johnny's interest in athletics and bought him a set of boxing gloves.

Amateur boxing career Greco started boxing at age seven, learning the fundamentals at Montreal's Griffintown Boys Club.

As a 14-year-old fighting out of the Crescent Athletic Club, Greco won the first Quebec Golden Gloves novice title in the 108-pound class in 1938. By then, he was known by the moniker "Westmount Flash."

A points victory over Joe Gagnon on an amateur show at Monument-National in November 1939 established him as one of the leading featherweights in the province.

Greco's amateur record consisted of 38 fights, with 22 knockout victories, 13 decision wins, and four losses.

Professional career The Montreal native's professional boxing debut took place on June 7, 1940, where he registered a technical knockout win. His first manager as a professional was Raoul Godbout, who also oversaw the career of Canadian featherweight and lightweight champion Dave Castilloux. He soon felt pushed aside in favor of Castilloux and sought new management. After parting ways with Godbout, he began working with manager Pit Audette in October 1941.

After advancing through the preliminary ranks in Montreal, Greco moved to New York under Murray Elkins in 1942 and secured a Madison Square Garden date before year's end. He made a statement by knocking out Harold Green at the 1:34 mark of round one, then scoring another first-round knockout over Bill Speary. The back-to-back stoppages elevated Greco to headliner status. He defeated Cleo Shans twice at the Garden in February and March 1943. Soon after, Greco enlisted in the Canadian Army, where he served as a private for about a year before being discharged. He lost in the rubber match that was arranged with Ruffin at Madison Square Garden in February 1945.

Greco and Tony Janiro clashed three straight times at Madison Square Garden in 1945, with the Montrealer capturing two victories via unanimous decision. With 18,941 in attendance, the $148,152 gate shattered the Madison Square Garden record at the time, eclipsing the previous record held by Joe Louis and Buddy Baer. Three months later, in May 1946, he lost to Beau Jack by unanimous decision.

Taking the Canadian welterweight championship, August 1946 On August 28, 1946, Greco dethroned Dave Castilloux as Canadian welterweight champion, taking a 10-round decision to end Castilloux's five-year title reign. Greco held an 8-pound advantage at 145 pounds to Castilloux's 137½. The bout drew 14,750 spectators and generated $49,549, establishing a new indoor gate record for Canada.

Notable bouts during welterweight title reign Greco successfully defended his title for the first time on May 16, 1947, meeting Danny Webb at the Montreal Forum. In Greco's second defense, Harry Hurst challenged for the Canadian welterweight championship on November 3, 1947, with Greco retaining the belt. The two met again on May 18, 1948, with Greco once more emerging victorious.

At 26, he fought Laurent Dauthuille at Delorimier Stadium in 1949. The match drew 19,580 fans, generating $76,523, the largest attendance in Canadian boxing history, surpassing the previous record from his 1946 Castilloux championship fight.

Greco defended his title successfully in January 1950, scoring a TKO over Fitzie Pruden at the Montreal Forum, then posted a unanimous decision against Bob Montgomery at the same venue in February. He fell by split decision to Eddie Giosa in Philadelphia in May, then lost to Cuban Kid Gavilán at the Montreal Royals' baseball park in August 1950. Greco rebounded in February 1951 with a victory over Giosa in their rematch, then won back the Canadian welterweight title in March 1951 by TKO'ing Gaby Ferland. Graziano stopped Greco in three rounds before a crowd of 6,165 at the Montreal Forum.

Losing the Canadian welterweight championship to Armand Savoie, July 1952 Following a 4-0-1 run, Greco defended the welterweight title against Armand Savoie, losing a tight split verdict on July 7, 1952. He was buried at Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery.

Legacy Greco's career extended 14 years and included 14 appearances at Madison Square Garden, 11 of which were main event bouts.