Harold Johnson (boxer)

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This article is about the boxer. For other people of the same name, see Harold Johnson (disambiguation).
Harold Johnson
Statistics
Real name Harold Johnson
Nickname(s) Hercules
Rated at Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Reach 74 in (188 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1928-08-09)August 9, 1928
Manayunk, Pennsylvania
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 88
Wins 76
Wins by KO 32
Losses 11
Draws 0
No contests 1

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

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)[9]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 24-17-2 United States Herschel Jacobs TKO 3 30/03/1971 United States Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, New York City Referee stopped the bout at 0:24 of the third round due to a cut over Johnson's right eye.
Win 22-16-3 United States Johnny Alford UD 10 11/06/1968 United States Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 13-0 Germany Lothar Stengel PTS 10 03/02/1968 Germany Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse Stengel was down in the second and fifth rounds.
Win 7-5 United States Eddie "Bossman" Jones PTS 10 07/08/1967 United States Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 22-13-2 United States Herschel Jacobs UD 10 01/05/1967 United States New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana 7-1, 7-3, 6-3.
Win 36-14-4 Finland Pekka Kokkonen PTS 10 06/12/1966 Austria Stadthalle, Vienna
Loss 13-3-1 United States Johnny Persol UD 10 07/01/1966 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City 4-5, 4-5, 3-6.
Win 30-5-6 United States Hank Casey KO 8 20/04/1964 United States Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California Casey knocked out at 1:19 of the eighth round.
Win 56-18-3 United States Henry Hank UD 10 06/12/1963 United States The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 49-42, 50-41, 48-44.
Loss 57-11-8 United States Willie Pastrano SD 15 01/06/1963 United States Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada WBC/WBA World Light Heavyweight Titles. 68-69, 69-68, 67-69.
Win 24-18-2 United States Tommy Merrill TKO 9 19/03/1963 United States Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Win 85-1-6 Germany Gustav Scholz UD 15 23/06/1962 Germany Olympiastadion, Westend, Berlin World Light Heavyweight Title. 73-70, 72-64, 72-70.
Win 19-1 United States Doug Jones UD 15 12/05/1962 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania World Light Heavyweight Title. 74-61, 73-64, 71-63.
Win 39-11-1 United States Eddie Cotton SD 15 29/08/1961 United States Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington NBA World Light Heavyweight Title. 147-145, 147-145, 144-148.
Win 37-3-1 United States Eddie Machen PTS 10 01/07/1961 United States Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey 5-4.
Win 13-3-2 United States Von Clay TKO 2 24/04/1961 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NBA World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:28 of the second round.
Win 29-5 United States Jesse Bowdry TKO 9 07/02/1961 United States Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida NBA World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:45 of the ninth round.
Win 10-8 United States Clarence Floyd UD 10 04/05/1960 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 50-41, 50-40, 49-41.
Win 19-8-6 United States Sonny Ray TKO 10 11/11/1959 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois Referee stopped the bout at 1:18 of the tenth round.
Win 8-11-1 United States Johnny York TKO 6 04/08/1959 United States Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts Referee stopped the bout at 1:38 of the sixth round.
Win 14-13-1 United States Rudy Watkins KO 6 15/12/1958 United States Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Watkins knocked out at 1:42 of the sixth round.
Win 35-15-7 United States Howard "Honeyboy" King UD 10 03/12/1958 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois 48-43, 49-43, 49-44.
Win 10-12 United States Ollie Wilson TKO 2 15/04/1958 United States Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut
Win 24-11-2 United States Bert Whitehurst UD 10 17/01/1958 United States Syracuse War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York 6-3, 7-2, 7-1.
Win 44-18 United States Sid Peaks KO 5 17/12/1957 United States Toledo, Ohio
Win 16-6-2 United States Wayne Bethea UD 10 10/09/1957 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 40-10 United States Clarence Hinnant KO 1 31/05/1957 United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City Hinnant knocked out at 1:24 of the first round.
Win 46-22-4 United States Bob Satterfield UD 10 12/03/1957 United States Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida 96-93, 97-91, 98-93.
Win 22-9-2 United States Bert Whitehurst PTS 10 08/12/1956 United States Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
Loss 17-8-2 Cuba Julio Mederos TKO 2 06/05/1955 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Tests revealed that Johnson had been drugged. Some sources list this bout as a no contest
Win 29-4 United States Paul Andrews KO 6 11/02/1955 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City Andrews knocked out at 1:46 of the sixth round.
Win 20-5-2 United States Marty Marshall UD 10 22/12/1954 United States Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan 96-82, 95-82, 98-82.
Win 15-5-2 Cuba Julio Mederos UD 10 07/12/1954 United States Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida 98-92, 99-92, 98-95.
Loss 55-22-4 United States Oakland Billy Smith KO 2 08/10/1954 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Johnson knocked out at 1:22 of the second round.
Loss 145-19-8 United States Archie Moore TKO 14 11/08/1954 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:56 of the 14th round.
Win 23-2 United States Paul Andrews MD 10 17/03/1954 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois Johnson was knocked down in the first round.
Win 48-17-2 United States Charley Doc Williams TKO 8 15/02/1954 United States Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 26-9-5 United States Jimmy "The Spoiler" Slade SD 10 29/01/1954 United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City 5-4, 7-3, 4-5.
Win 29-35-4 United States Chubby Wright UD 10 19/11/1953 United States Hershey Sports Arena, Hershey, Pennsylvania 9-1, 7-2-1, 6-4.
Win 54-17-5 United States Henry Hall UD 10 07/11/1953 United States Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 6-2, 8-1, 8-1.
Win 81-9-1 United States Ezzard Charles SD 10 08/09/1953 United States Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 6-3, 4-5, 7-3.
Win 8-6-2 United States Toxie Hall UD 10 11/05/1953 United States Dinner Key, Miami, Florida
Win 28-14-2 United States Billy Gilliam UD 10 21/03/1953 United States Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio
Win 23-5-4 United States Jimmy "The Spoiler" Slade UD 10 16/01/1953 United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City 5-4, 10-0, 7-3.
Win 21-4-3 Cuba Nino Valdes UD 10 24/11/1952 United States Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 8-1, 10-0, 10-1.
Win 28-13-2 United States Bob Satterfield KO 2 06/10/1952 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Satterfield knocked out at 1:58 of the second round.
Win 23-6-1 United States Leonard Morrow KO 3 16/09/1952 United States Toledo, Ohio Morrow knocked out at 1:55 of the third round.
Loss 27-13-2 United States Bob Satterfield SD 10 06/08/1952 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois 49-51, 52-48, 46-54.
Win 31-2-1 United States Clarence Henry SD 10 17/03/1952 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 127-19-8 United States Archie Moore UD 10 29/01/1952 United States Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio 53-46, 53-46, 56-44.
Win 127-18-8 United States Archie Moore UD 10 10/12/1951 United States Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 5-4, 5-4, 6-4.
Loss 125-18-8 United States Archie Moore UD 10 24/09/1951 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 5-4-1, 6-3-1, 6-3-1.
Win 26-31-3 United States Chubby Wright UD 10 23/07/1951 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 28-6-1 United States Elkins Brothers TKO 10 18/06/1951 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Referee stopped the bout at 1:53 of the tenth round.
Win 42-17-1 United States Chuck Hunter PTS 8 09/02/1951 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 22-13 United States Dusty Wilkerson KO 4 22/01/1951 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wilkerson knocked out at 2:04 of the fourth round.
Win 4-28-3 United States Harry Daniels KO 2 18/12/1950 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss 45-14-2 United States Jersey Joe Walcott KO 3 08/02/1950 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Johnson counted out at 1:03 of the third round after collapsing due to a back injury.
Win 66-18-7 United States Bert "Chocolate Kid" Lytell PTS 10 07/12/1949 United States Dayton, Ohio
Win 72-16-1 United States Jimmy Bivins UD 10 26/10/1949 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 5-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Win 47-14-4 United States Henry Hall UD 10 25/07/1949 United States Borchert Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 7-2, 10-0, 9-0.
Win 47-12-4 United States Henry Hall UD 10 16/06/1949 United States Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Loss 102-17-7 United States Archie Moore UD 10 26/04/1949 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 83-19-9 Chile Arturo Godoy UD 10 23/02/1949 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 7-18 United States Lee Willard KO 7 14/12/1948 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 20-15-5 United States Jim Holden PTS 8 09/11/1948 United States Allentown, Pennsylvania
Win 27-11-2 Portugal Agostinho Guedes TKO 3 28/09/1948 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Referee stopped the bout at 2:16 of the third round.
Win 5-0-1 United States Vernon Williams PTS 8 13/05/1948 United States Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 14-3 United States Kenny Harris UD 10 29/03/1948 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 14-2 United States Kenny Harris UD 8 01/03/1948 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 5-17-3 United States Kid Wolfe PTS 8 11/12/1947 United States Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 64-23-3 United States Herbie Katz KO 1 24/11/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 23-20-5 United States Jimmy Moore KO 5 06/11/1947 United States Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win 2-0 Eddie Beazley TKO 1 06/10/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 48-63-7 United States Al Pinel PTS 6 04/08/1947 United States Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 16-1 United States Tommy Ruth KO 6 08/07/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ruth knocked out at 1:17 of the sixth round.
Win 3-3-1 United States Fred Lester TKO 8 26/05/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Referee stopped the bout at 1:52 of the eighth round.
Win 17-10 United States Leon Szymurski TKO 3 28/04/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 26-51-11 United States Tony Gillo PTS 6 10/03/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win -- Joe Van Loan TKO 2 17/02/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 11-7-2 United States Jim Holden KO 4 10/02/1947 United States William Allen High School, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Win 4-7-4 United States Chappie Manning PTS 6 24/01/1947 United States Reading Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania
Win 18-10-3 United States Frank Lowry TKO 2 10/01/1947 United States Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 0-3-1 United States Randy Ingram KO 4 25/10/1946 United States Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 1-0 United States Jack Simon KO 4 25/09/1946 United States Allentown, Pennsylvania
Win 2-0 United States Charles Lester KO 2 20/08/1946 United States Pennsylvania
Win -- United States Joe Riley KO 2 30/07/1946 United States Wilmington, Delaware

References

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External links

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
 Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion
May 12, 1962 – June 1, 1963
Preceded by
Inaugural Champion
 WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
Feb 14, 1963 – June 1, 1963
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