Johnny Wilson was born Giovanni Francesco Panica on March 23, 1893 in Harlem, New York City.

The highlight of Wilson's career came when he captured the world middleweight championship by defeating Mike O'Dowd by decision over 12 rounds on May 6, 1920.

[2] Wilson held the crown until he was outpointed over 15 rounds by the all-time great Harry Greb.

After retiring from the ring, Wilson was involved in the ownership/management of several successful nightclubs in New York and Boston.

In 1970 Wilson had a short appearing in Michelangelo Antonioni's Zabriskie Point movie (at 00:42' in Italian edition), when he was 77.