Johnny Lewis
Born: March 18, 1944
Induction: 2017
Born John Alfred Lewis on March 18, 1944 in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Lewis boxed as a teenager at the Newtown Police Boys Club. After a senior trainer left the gym, Lewis assumed his duties and so began his career in the sweet science as a trainer at the tender age of 17.
Over the subsequent years, the beloved trainer guided such notable prizefighters as Joe Bugner (heavyweight) and Paul Briggs (light heavyweight), as well as world champions Gairy St. Clair (IBF super featherweight), Billy Dib (IBF featherweight), Jeff Harding (WBC light heavyweight) and Hall of Famers Jeff Fenech (triple-division), Kostya Tszyu (IBF / WBA / WBC junior welterweight) and Virgil Hill (two-division). With over five decades in the sport, Lewis is noted for his integrity and dignity and also for his compassion towards his fighters.
While best known for his stewardship of championship boxers, Lewis also served as a fitness trainer for high profile rugby players in Australia.