Johnny Paychek

John J. Pacek (June 11, 1914 – December 3, 1988), better known by the ring name Johnny Paychek, was an American boxer. Though considered a journeyman, he did face Joe Louis in 1940 for the lineal heavyweight title. Louis beat him by a second-round knockout, in what turned out to be Paychek's only world championship try as a professional boxer.

After retiring from the ring, Paychek married and had two children. A longtime resident of Lyons, Illinois, Paychek died on December 3, 1988, at La Grange Memorial Hospital in La Grange Park, Illinois.

Country singer Johnny Paycheck took his stage name as a tribute or reference to Paychek.