Harold Johnson (boxer)

Harold Johnson (August 9, 1928 – February 19, 2015) was a professional boxer. He held the World Light Heavyweight Championship from 1962 to 1963.

Harold Johnson
Johnson in 1954
Statistics
Real nameHarold Johnson
Nickname(s)Hercules
Weight(s)Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born(1928-08-09)August 9, 1928
Manayunk, Pennsylvania
DiedFebruary 19, 2015(2015-02-19) (aged 86)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights88
Wins76
Wins by KO32
Losses11
Draws0
No contests1

Boxing career

Johnson was born in Manayunk, Philadelphia. He started boxing while serving in the United States Navy and turned professional in 1946. He won his first twenty-four fights before losing a ten-round decision to Archie Moore in 1949. Moore would be Johnson's biggest career rival. Johnson rebounded with four straight victories, including a ten-round decision win against future Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Bivins.[1]

Johnson's father, Phil Johnson, was also a professional boxer. Phil and Harold Johnson became the first father/son combination to not only fight the same fighter, but lose to him as well. Both suffered third-round knockout defeats at the hands of future World Heavyweight Champion Jersey Joe Walcott in 1936 and 1950, respectively. Harold lost after suffering an injury to the intervertebral disc in the small of his back.[2]

After five consecutive wins, Johnson resumed his rivalry with Archie Moore, fighting Moore three times in a row between September 1951 and January 1954. All three went the ten-round distance. Johnson lost the rematch, won the rubber match and lost the fourth bout.

In 1952, Johnson split two fights with Bob Satterfield, losing the first by decision and winning the second by knockout, and won a decision over heavyweight contender Nino Valdez. The following year, he defeated former World Heavyweight Champion Ezzard Charles by a split decision. Johnson would finally get a title shot eight years into his career in his fifth and final fight against Archie Moore in 1954. Moore was making the third defense of the World Light Heavyweight Championship. In an exciting fight, Johnson knocked Moore down in the 10th round and was ahead on the scorecards after 13 rounds. But Moore rallied, knocking Johnson down and stopping him in the 14th round.[3]

Johnson outpointed Julio Mederos over ten rounds in 1954. The following year, they had a rematch in Philadelphia. Johnson collapsed after the second round and was carried from the ring on a stretcher. Tests later revealed that Johnson had been drugged with a barbiturate. As a result, the Governor of Pennsylvania suspended boxing in the state for 114 days and instructed the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission to launch a probe. Johnson said he started feeling ill in his dressing room after eating an orange that had been given to him by a stranger who said he was a long-time admirer. A chemical analysis of a piece of the orange showed no trace of a drug or barbiturate. The probe never did uncover who drugged Johnson or how the drug was administered. However, the commission ruled that Johnson knew he was not in condition to fight and should've reported that fact to commission officials on duty that night. He was suspended for six months and his purse was forfeited.[4]

When the National Boxing Association (NBA) withdrew recognition of Archie Moore as World Light Heavyweight Champion for failure to defend, Johnson defeated Jesse Bowdry in 1961 by a ninth-round technical knockout to capture the vacant NBA title. In his first title defense, Johnson stopped Von Clay in two rounds. After defeating second-ranked heavyweight contender Eddie Machen by a ten-round decision in a non-title bout, Johnson successfully defended his title for a second time with a split decision victory over 4th-ranked light heavyweight contender Eddie Cotton.

Johnson gained universal recognition as World Light Heavyweight Champion when he defeated Doug Jones in 1962 by a decision in fifteen rounds. He successfully defended the undisputed title once, outpointing Gustav Scholz in Berlin, then lost it to Willie Pastrano by a fifteen-round split decision in 1963.[5] Johnson would never fight for a title again and retired in 1971 with a record of 76–11 with 32 knockouts.

Johnson was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.

Johnson was named the 7th greatest light heavyweight of the 20th century by the Associated Press in 1999.[6] Three years later, The Ring magazine ranked Johnson 7th on the list "The 20 Greatest Light Heavyweight of All-Time" and 80th on the list "The 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years."[7] Johnson died at the age of 86 on February 19, 2015.[8]

Professional boxing record
76 Wins (32 knockouts, 44 decisions), 11 Losses (5 knockouts, 6 decisions)
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 76–11 Herschel Jacobs TKO 3 March 30, 1971 Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, New York City
Win 76–10 Johnny Alford UD 10 June 11, 1968 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 75–10 Lothar Stengel PTS 10 February 3, 1968 Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse
Win 74–10 Eddie Jones PTS 10 August 7, 1967 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 73–10 Herschel Jacobs UD 10 May 1, 1967 New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana
Win 72–10 Pekka Kokkonen PTS 10 December 6, 1966 Stadthalle, Vienna
Loss 71–10 Johnny Persol UD 10 January 7, 1966 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 71–9 Hank Casey KO 8 April 20, 1964 Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California
Win 70–9 Henry Hank UD 10 December 6, 1963 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 69–9 Willie Pastrano SD 15 June 1, 1963 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Lost WBA, WBC, The Ring, and lineal light heavyweight titles
Win 69–8 Tommy Merrill TKO 9 March 19, 1963 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Win 68–8 Gustav Scholz UD 15 June 23, 1962 Olympiastadion, Westend, Berlin Retained NBA, The Ring, and lineal light heavyweight titles
Win 67–8 Doug Jones UD 15 May 12, 1962 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Retained NBA and lineal light heavyweight titles
Won vacant The Ring light heavyweight title
Win 66–8 Eddie Cotton SD 15 August 29, 1961 Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington Retained NBA light heavyweight title
Won vacant lineal light heavyweight title
Win 65–8 Eddie Machen PTS 10 July 1, 1961 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 64–8 Von Clay TKO 2 April 24, 1961 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Retained NBA light heavyweight title
Win 63–8 Jesse Bowdry TKO 9 February 7, 1961 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida Won vacant NBA light heavyweight title
Win 62–8 Clarence Floyd UD 10 May 4, 1960 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 61–8 Sonny Ray TKO 10 November 11, 1959 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 60–8 Johnny York TKO 6 August 4, 1959 Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Win 59–8 Rudy Watkins KO 6 December 15, 1958 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 58–8 Howard King UD 10 December 3, 1958 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 57–8 Ollie Wilson TKO 2 April 15, 1958 Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut
Win 56–8 Bert Whitehurst UD 10 January 17, 1958 Syracuse War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York
Win 55–8 Sid Peaks KO 5 December 17, 1957 Toledo, Ohio
Win 54–8 Wayne Bethea UD 10 September 10, 1957 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 53–8 Clarence Hinnant KO 1 May 31, 1957 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
Win 52–8 Bob Satterfield UD 10 March 12, 1957 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 51–8 Bert Whitehurst PTS 10 December 8, 1956 Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
Loss 50–8 Julio Mederos TKO 2 May 6, 1955 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tests revealed that Johnson had been drugged. Some sources list this bout as a no contest
Win 50–7 Paul Andrews KO 6 February 11, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 49–7 Marty Marshall UD 10 December 22, 1954 Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan
Win 48–7 Julio Mederos UD 10 December 7, 1954 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Loss 47–7 Oakland Billy Smith KO 2 October 8, 1954 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 47–6 Archie Moore TKO 14 August 11, 1954 Madison Square Garden, New York City For The Ring and lineal light heavyweight title
Win 47–5 Paul Andrews MD 10 March 17, 1954 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 46–5 Charley Doc Williams TKO 8 February 15, 1954 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 45–5 Jimmy Slade SD 10 January 29, 1954 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
Win 44–5 Chubby Wright UD 10 November 19, 1953 Hershey Sports Arena, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Win 43–5 Henry Hall UD 10 November 7, 1953 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Win 42–5 Ezzard Charles SD 10 September 8, 1953 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 41–5 Toxie Hall UD 10 May 11, 1953 Dinner Key, Miami, Florida
Win 40–5 Billy Gilliam UD 10 March 21, 1953 Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio
Win 39–5 Jimmy Slade UD 10 January 16, 1953 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
Win 38–5 Nino Valdes UD 10 November 24, 1952 Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York
Win 37–5 Bob Satterfield KO 2 October 6, 1952 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 36–5 Leonard Morrow KO 3 September 16, 1952 Toledo, Ohio
Loss 35–5 Bob Satterfield SD 10 August 6, 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 35–4 Clarence Henry SD 10 March 17, 1952 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 34–4 Archie Moore UD 10 January 29, 1952 Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio
Win 34–3 Archie Moore UD 10 December 10, 1951 Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Loss 33–3 Archie Moore UD 10 September 24, 1951 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 33–2 Chubby Wright UD 10 July 23, 1951 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 32–2 Elkins Brothers TKO 10 June 18, 1951 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 31–2 Chuck Hunter PTS 8 February 9, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 30–2 Dusty Wilkerson KO 4 January 22, 1951 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 29–2 Harry Daniels KO 2 December 18, 1950 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 28–2 Jersey Joe Walcott KO 3 February 8, 1950 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 28–1 Bert "Chocolate Kid" Lytell PTS 10 December 7, 1949 Dayton, Ohio
Win 27–1 Jimmy Bivins UD 10 October 26, 1949 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 26–1 Henry Hall UD 10 July 25, 1949 Borchert Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Win 25–1 Henry Hall UD 10 June 16, 1949 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Loss 24–1 Archie Moore UD 10 April 26, 1949 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 24–0 Arturo Godoy UD 10 February 23, 1949 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 23–0 Lee Willard KO 7 December 14, 1948 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 22–0 Jim Holden PTS 8 November 9, 1948 Allentown, Pennsylvania
Win 21–0 Agostinho Guedes TKO 3 September 28, 1948 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 20–0 Vernon Williams PTS 8 May 13, 1948 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 19–0 Kenny Harris UD 10 March 29, 1948 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 18–0 Kenny Harris UD 8 March 1, 1948 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 17–0 Kid Wolfe PTS 8 December 11, 1947 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 16–0 Herbie Katz KO 1 November 24, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 15–0 Jimmy Moore KO 5 November 6, 1947 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 14–0 Eddie Beazley TKO 1 October 6, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 13–0 Al Pinel PTS 6 August 4, 1947 Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 12–0 Tommy Ruth KO 6 July 8, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 11–0 Fred Lester TKO 8 May 26, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 10–0 Leon Szymurski TKO 3 April 28, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 9–0 Tony Gillo PTS 6 March 10, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 8–0 Joe Van Loan TKO 2 February 17, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 7–0 Jim Holden KO 4 February 10, 1947 William Allen High School, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Win 6–0 Chappie Manning PTS 6 January 24, 1947 Reading Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania
Win 5–0 Frank Lowry TKO 2 January 10, 1947 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 4–0 Randy Ingram KO 4 October 25, 1946 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 3–0 Jack Simon KO 4 September 25, 1946 Allentown, Pennsylvania
Win 2–0 Charles Lester KO 2 August 20, 1946 Pennsylvania
Win 1–0 Joe Riley KO 2 July 30, 1946 Wilmington, Delaware

See also
  • List of light heavyweight boxing champions

References
  1. The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book. Books.google.com. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  2. "Pug Collapses In Third Round Of Walcott Mix". News.google.com. February 9, 1950. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  3. "Moore Decks Johnson, Craves Shot at Marciano". News.google.com. August 12, 1954. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  4. "Suspension Ordered for Harold Johnson". News.google.com. July 7, 1955. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  5. "Pastrano Wins Title With Upset Decision". News.google.com. June 2, 1963. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  6. "Boxing's Best of the Century". Boxing.about.com. March 12, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  7. "Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years". Boxing.about.com. June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  8. "Harold Johnson passes". Fightnews.com. February 19, 2015. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
Achievements
Preceded by
Archie Moore
Stripped		 NBA-WBA Light Heavyweight Champion
February 7, 1961 – June 1, 1963
The NBA became the WBA on August 23, 1962		 Succeeded by
Willie Pastrano
Preceded by
Archie Moore
Vacated		 World Light Heavyweight Champion
May 12, 1962 – June 1, 1963
Preceded by
Inaugural Champion		 WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
February 14, 1963 – June 1, 1963
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.