Johnny Green
" STEEL CITY EXPRESS"

Johnny Green was the epitome of the gentleman boxer. The Greenville, South Carolina native, an only child, came to Buffalo with his mother, when he was six years old.

He recalled that he was rather a meek lad who shined shoes and sold newspapers to help his family. It was at this time that he began his life long career in the sport of "Sweet Science". "I had to learn how to fight, all the big guys would take my money". A neighborhood boxer taught him how to fight and soon neighborhood kids knew to keep their distance from him and his money.

Johnny Green was 17 when he won the 1941 National Golden Gloves 135-1b. lightweight title in Chicago. An exciting amateur, he had over 150 amateur fights, losing only a handful and thrilling the fans. He was trained & managed by Jackie Pyne.

Johnny Green became a stable-mate of Sugar Ray Robinsons, and carved out an impressive record of his own, becoming one of the top attractions in Western and Central New York,

A solidly built, 135-lbs., Green grew into a full-fledged welterweight, who was undefeated in his first 16 fights in 1943-1944.

He was one of the countries busiest fighters, facing 22 opponents in 1944 alone including Izzy Janazzo, Bobby Claus and the great Ike Williams.

Johnny marveled at the prowess and punching power of Williams who won 125 fights in his career. After the Williams fight, Green continued to meet the best in the 147-1b. class including Holman Williams, Billy Nixon, Jimmy Doyle, Bobby Lakin, Maxie Berger and Indian Gomez. In 1946, he was offered $3,000 to take on Sugar Ray Robinson, but the fight never materialized.

Johnny Green's ring career ended abruptly in 1947 due to a detached retina he suffered in his 10 round decision over Flashy Sebastian. Although by the early 1970's he was legally blind, he was not deterred by this handicap. Perhaps his greatest legacy was his work with young boxers and boys clubs for which he won many accolades from the city of Buffalo and amateur boxing.

He and his manager also went into business together operating a hotel and bar they bought on the Hamburg Turnpike.

In 1983, he was honored as "Man of the Year" by the Rochester Boxing Association.
He was also honored as PAL Coach of the Year and received the Mayor's Youth Award from Mayor James Griffin.

He died on May 24, 1993.