All boxersGus Lesnevich
“The Russian Lion”
Boxing · Deceased61-14-5RECORD
23WINS BY KO / TKO
38WINS BY DECISION
80PRO FIGHTS
Profile
| Full name | Gustav George Lesnevich |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The Russian Lion |
| Date of birth | 22 Feb 1915 |
| Died | 28 Feb 1964 |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Cliffside Park, New Jersey, US |
| Based in | Not added yet |
| Weight classes | Heavyweight, Light heavyweight |
| Trainers | Not added yet |
| Height | 175 cm (5′9″) |
| Reach | 185 cm (73″) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Years active | 1934–1949 |
| Status | Deceased |
| Pro debut | 5 May 1934 |
| Last fight | Loss vs Ezzard Charles, 10 Aug 1949 |
Details on this page were compiled from public information on 11 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile
Titles and honours
- NBA light heavyweight champion (1941–1948)
- NYSAC light heavyweight champion (1941–1948)
- The Ring light heavyweight champion (1941–1948)
Background
Gus Lesnevich was born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, and turned professional in 1934. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1943 to 1945 and reigned as world light heavyweight champion from 1941 to 1948.
Fight history
80 professional fights. Newest first.
| Result | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Ezzard Charles | TKO (corner retirement) | 7 | 10 Aug 1949 | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US | For NBA heavyweight title | |
| Loss | Joey Maxim | Decision (unanimous) | 15 | 23 May 1949 | Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio, US | For vacant NBA American light heavyweight title | |
| Win | Eldridge Eatman | KO | 1 | 3 Mar 1949 | Mosque Theater, Newark, New Jersey, US | ||
| Loss | Freddie Mills | Decision (points) | 15 | 26 Jul 1948 | White City Stadium, London, England | Lost NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Win | Billy Fox | KO | 1 | 5 Mar 1948 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | Retained NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Win | Tami Mauriello | TKO | 7 | 31 Oct 1947 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Tami Mauriello | Decision (unanimous) | 10 | 30 Jul 1947 | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Melio Bettina | KO | 1 | 23 May 1947 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Billy Fox | TKO | 10 | 28 Feb 1947 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | Retained NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Loss | Bruce Woodcock | KO | 8 | 17 Sep 1946 | Harringay Arena, London, England | ||
| Win | Freddie Mills | TKO | 10 | 14 May 1946 | Harringay Arena, London, England | Retained NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Loss | Lee Oma | TKO | 5 | 22 Feb 1946 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Joe Kahut | KO | 1 | 11 Jan 1946 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, US | ||
| Loss | Jimmy Bivins | Decision (unanimous) | 10 | 11 Mar 1942 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US | ||
| Loss | Bob Pastor | Decision (split) | 15 | 30 Jan 1942 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Tami Mauriello | Decision (split) | 15 | 14 Nov 1941 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | Retained NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Win | Tami Mauriello | Decision (split) | 15 | 26 Aug 1941 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | Retained NBA title; won vacant NYSAC and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Win | Anton Christoforidis | Decision (unanimous) | 15 | 22 May 1941 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | Won NBA light heavyweight title | |
| Win | Nathan Mann | Decision (unanimous) | 10 | 27 Feb 1941 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US | ||
| Win | Jack Marshall | KO | 4 | 16 Dec 1940 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US | ||
| Loss | Al Delaney | Decision (points) | 10 | 23 Nov 1940 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Henry Cooper | TKO (corner retirement) | 4 | 5 Sep 1940 | Belmont Park, Garfield, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Wally Sears | Decision (points) | 10 | 22 Jul 1940 | Belmont Park, Garfield, New Jersey, US | ||
| Loss | Billy Conn | Decision (unanimous) | 15 | 5 Jun 1940 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US | For NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Win | Dave Clark | Decision (unanimous) | 10 | 1 Jan 1940 | Fair Grounds Coliseum, Detroit, Michigan, US | ||
| Loss | Billy Conn | Decision (unanimous) | 15 | 17 Nov 1939 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA and The Ring light heavyweight titles | |
| Win | Dave Clark | KO | 1 | 22 Jun 1939 | Nutley Velodrome, Nutley, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Larry Lane | Decision (points) | 10 | 15 May 1939 | Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Bob Olin | Decision (points) | 12 | 2 Feb 1939 | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia | ||
| Win | Alabama Kid | TKO (corner retirement) | 9 | 13 Jan 1939 | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia | ||
| Win | Ambrose Palmer | Decision (points) | 12 | 8 Dec 1938 | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia | ||
| Loss | Ron Richards | Decision (points) | 15 | 27 Oct 1938 | Sydney Sports Ground, Sydney, Australia | ||
| Win | Stanley Hasrato | KO | 1 | 16 Jun 1938 | Miller Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Buddy Ryan | Decision (points) | 10 | 1 Jun 1938 | Miller Stadium, West New York, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Lou Brouillard | Decision (points) | 10 | 23 Mar 1938 | Hippodrome, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Jack Kirkland | KO | 1 | 24 Feb 1938 | Beach Arena, Miami Beach, Florida, US | ||
| Win | Ben Brown | Decision (unanimous) | 10 | 8 Feb 1938 | Coliseum, Coral Gables, Florida, US | ||
| Draw | Joey Parks | Decision (points) | 10 | 7 Jan 1938 | Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, US | ||
| Win | Herbie Katz | Decision (points) | 8 | 19 Nov 1937 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Draw | Allen Matthews | Decision (majority) | 10 | 5 Oct 1937 | Crystal Pool, Seattle, Washington, US | ||
| Win | Alabama Kid | Decision (points) | 10 | 3 Sep 1937 | Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US | ||
| Win | Atilio Sabatino | Decision (points) | 10 | 24 Aug 1937 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | ||
| Win | Young Stuhley | Decision (points) | 10 | 22 Jun 1937 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | ||
| Win | Johnny Romero | KO | 7 | 14 May 1937 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US | ||
| Loss | Young Corbett III | TKO | 5 | 12 Mar 1937 | Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US | ||
| Win | Tony Celli | Decision (points) | 8 | 20 Feb 1937 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Loss | Freddie Steele | TKO | 2 | 17 Nov 1936 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | ||
| Win | Young Stuhley | KO | 9 | 4 Nov 1936 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US | ||
| Draw | Marty Simmons | Decision (points) | 10 | 23 Oct 1936 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US | ||
| Win | Carmen Barth | Decision (points) | 10 | 9 Oct 1936 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US | ||
| Win | Ray Actis | Decision (points) | 10 | 21 Aug 1936 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US | ||
| Win | Louie Rogers | TKO | 1 | 19 Jun 1936 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US | ||
| Win | Johnny Sikes | TKO | 1 | 29 May 1936 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US | ||
| Win | Sammy Christian | Decision (points) | 4 | 19 May 1936 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | ||
| Win | Frankie Caris | Decision (points) | 10 | 13 Apr 1936 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US | ||
| Draw | Frankie Caris | Decision (points) | 10 | 16 Mar 1936 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Billy Hood | Decision (points) | 8 | 11 Mar 1936 | Beach Arena, Miami Beach, Florida, US | ||
| Win | Eddie Whalen | TKO | 5 | 4 Feb 1936 | Braddock Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Butch Lynch | Decision (points) | 10 | 17 Dec 1935 | Braddock Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Frank LoBianco | Decision (points) | 8 | 14 Dec 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Tony Celli | Decision (points) | 8 | 25 May 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Tom Chester | Decision (points) | 8 | 4 May 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Jimmy Varrelli | Decision (points) | 8 | 13 Apr 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Draw | John Andersson | Decision (points) | 6 | 22 Mar 1935 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | John Andersson | Decision (points) | 8 | 2 Mar 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Jackie Aldare | Decision (points) | 8 | 2 Feb 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Bucky Lawless | KO | 2 | 12 Jan 1935 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Jackie Aldare | Decision (points) | 8 | 29 Dec 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Stanley Willardson | Decision (points) | 6 | 8 Dec 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Loss | Jackie Aldare | Decision (split) | 6 | 24 Nov 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Tom Chester | Decision (points) | 6 | 3 Nov 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Mark Hough | Decision (points) | 6 | 13 Oct 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Charley Weise | Decision (points) | 6 | 22 Sep 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Nicky Williams | Decision (points) | 6 | 13 Sep 1934 | Teterboro Airdrome, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Frankie Cal | TKO | 2 | 23 Jul 1934 | Oakland Outdoor Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Roy Frisco | Decision (points) | 6 | 16 Jun 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Willie Kline | Decision (points) | 6 | 9 Jun 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Jimmy Calabrese | KO | 1 | 29 May 1934 | Kennel Track, Fort Lee, New Jersey, US | ||
| Win | Sid Cohen | TKO | 3 | 19 May 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | ||
| Win | Justin Hoffman | TKO | 2 | 5 May 1934 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | Pro debut |
Record source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).