- Benny Valger
Benjamin "Benny" Valger (
September 29 ,1898 -October 1972), nicknamed "The French Flash", was an American professionalfeatherweight boxer who fought from the late 1910s until the 1930s.He was born in
Paris, France toJewish parents who had immigrated to there fromRussia . He moved to the United States when he was a child.Boxing career
Valger was known for his great speed in the ring (hence the nickname "French Flash").
His professional record was 77 wins and only 15 losses.
Three of his matches were draws [http://www.jewsinsports.org/profile.asp?sport=boxing&ID=228] . One of his major career highlights came in 1916, when he won the US Men's Boxing Championships in the 115 pound division [http://www.usaboxing.org/852.htm] .
On February 25th, 1920, in a bout in
Newark, New Jersey , Valgeroutpointed the reigning featherweight champion,Johnny Kilbane . However, because Valger did notknock out Kilbane, Kilbane got to keep the title.One of Benny Valger's descendant's name is Patrice Julien, famous cook and spiritual consultant in Japan (www.patricejulien.com). Patrice Julien's grandfather, Abraham Valger, was Benny's brother.
Benny's mother was burried in New York. Abraham longed to join his mother in America until the end of her life but could not travel from Europe to the US as he was a communist.
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