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 August 9, 1928

Manayunk, Pennsylvania

Died February 19, 2015 (aged 86)

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[edit]

76 Wins (32 knockouts, 44 decisions), 11 Losses (5 knockouts, 6 decisions)[9]

Oppon Typ
Result Record Round Date Location Notes
ent e

Referee
stopped the
He bout at 0:24 of
30/03/ Sunnyside Gardens,
Loss 24-17-2 rschel TKO 3 the third round
1971 Queens, New York City due to a cut
Jacobs
over Johnson's
right eye.

Jo Miami Beach
11/06/
Win 22-16-3 hnny UD 10 Convention Hall, Miami
1968
Alford Beach, Florida

Stengel was
Lot Festhalle
03/02/ down in the
Win 13-0 har PTS 10 Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hess second and fifth
1968
Stengel e rounds.

Ed
die
07/08/ Silver Slipper, Las
Win 7-5 "Bossm PTS 10
1967 Vegas, Nevada
an"
Jones

New Orleans
He
01/05/ Municipal
Win 22-13-2 rschel UD 10 7-1, 7-3, 6-3.
1967 Auditorium, New Orleans,
Jacobs
Louisiana
 Pe
kka 06/12/
Win 36-14-4 PTS 10 Stadthalle, Vienna
Kokkon 1966
en

Jo
07/01/ Madison Square
Loss 13-3-1 hnny UD 10 4-5, 4-5, 3-6.
1966 Garden, New York City
Persol

Ha Santa Monica Civic Casey knocked

20/04/ out at 1:19 of
Win 30-5-6 nk KO 8 Auditorium, Santa the eighth
1964
Casey Monica, California round.

He The Blue
06/12/ 49-42, 50-41,
Win 56-18-3 nry UD 10 Horizon, Philadelphia, 48-44.
1963
Hank Pennsylvania

Wil WBC/WBA Wo
Las Vegas rld Light
lie 01/06/
Loss 57-11-8 SD 15 Convention Center, Las Heavyweight
Pastran 1963 Titles. 68-69,
Vegas, Nevada
o 69-68, 67-69.

To Catholic Youth
19/03/
Win 24-18-2 mmy TKO 9 Center, Scranton,
1963
Merrill Pennsylvania

World Light
Gu
23/06/ Olympiastadion, We Heavyweight
Win 85-1-6 stav UD 15 Title. 73-70,
1962 stend, Berlin
Scholz 72-64, 72-70.

Do Philadelphia World Light

12/05/ Heavyweight
Win 19-1 ug UD 15 Arena, Philadelphia, Title. 74-61,
1962
Jones Pennsylvania 73-64, 71-63.

NBA World
Ed Sick's Light
29/08/ Heavyweight
Win 39-11-1 die SD 15 Stadium, Seattle, Title. 147-145,
1961
Cotton Washington 147-145, 144-
148.

Ed Boardwalk
01/07/
Win 37-3-1 die PTS 10 Hall, Atlantic City, New 5-4.
1961
Machen Jersey

NBA World
Philadelphia Light
Vo 24/04/
Win 13-3-2 TKO 2 Arena, Philadelphia, Heavyweight
n Clay 1961
Pennsylvania Title. Referee
stopped the
 bout at 2:28 of
the second
round.

NBA World
Light
Jes Miami Beach Heavyweight
07/02/
Win 29-5 se TKO 9 Convention Hall, Miami Title. Referee
1961 stopped the
Bowdry Beach, Florida
bout at 0:45 of
the ninth round.

Philadelphia
Cla
04/05/ Convention 50-41, 50-40,
Win 10-8 rence UD 10 49-41.
1960 Center,Philadelphia,
Floyd
Pennsylvania

So Referee
11/11/ Chicago stopped the
Win 19-8-6 nny TKO 10 bout at 1:18 of
1959 Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Ray the tenth round.

Jo Wahconah Referee
04/08/ stopped the
Win 8-11-1 hnny TKO 6 Park, Pittsfield, bout at 1:38 of
1959
York Massachusetts the sixth round.

Watkins
Cambria knocked
14-
Rudy 15/12/195 out at
Win 13- KO 6 A.C., Philadelphia, 1:42 of
1 Watkins 8
Pennsylvania the sixth
round.

35- Howard Chicago

1 03/12/195 48-43, 49-
Win 15- "Honeyboy" UD Stadium, Chicago, 43, 49-44.
7 0 8
King Illinois

Foot Guard
10- Ollie TK 15/04/195
Win 12
2 Hall, Hartford,
Wilson O 8
Connecticut

Syracuse War
24-
Bert 1 17/01/195 Memorial 6-3, 7-2,
Win 11- UD 7-1.
2 Whitehurst 0 8 Arena,Syracuse, New
York

44- 17/12/195
Win 18
Sid Peaks KO 5 Toledo, Ohio
7

16- Wayne 1 10/09/195 Philadelphia

Win 6-2 UD Convention
Bethea 0 7
Center,Philadelphia,
 Pennsylvania

Hinnant
knocked
40- Clarence 31/05/195 St. Nicholas out at
Win 10
KO 1 1:24 of
Hinnant 7 Arena, New York City
the first
round.

46- Miami Beach

Bob 1 12/03/195 96-93, 97-
Win 22- UD Auditorium, Miami 91, 98-93.
4 Satterfield 0 7
Beach, Florida

Portland
22- Bert 1 08/12/195 Exposition
Win 9-2
PTS
Whitehurst 0 6 Building, Portland,
Maine

Tests
revealed
that
Johnson
Philadelphia had been
17- Julio TK 06/05/195 drugged.
Loss 8-2
2 Arena, Philadelphia, Some
Mederos O 5
Pennsylvania sources
list this
bout as a
no
contest

Andrews
Madison Square knocked
29- Paul 11/02/195 out at
Win 4
KO 6 Garden, New York 1:46 of
Andrews 5
City the sixth
round.

Detroit
20- Marty 1 22/12/195 96-82, 95-
Win 5-2
UD Olympia, Detroit, 82, 98-82.
Marshall 0 4
Michigan

Miami Beach
15- Julio 1 07/12/195 98-92, 99-
Win 5-2
UD Auditorium, Miami 92, 98-95.
Mederos 0 4
Beach, Florida

Johnson
knocked
55- Philadelphia out at
Oakland 08/10/195
Loss 22- KO 2 Arena, Philadelphia, 1:22 of
4 Billy Smith 4 the
Pennsylvania
second
round.

Loss 14 World
5-
Archie TK 1 11/08/195 Madison Square Light
 19- Moore O 4 4 Garden, New York Heavywei
8 City ght Title.
Referee
stopped
the bout
at 0:56 of
the 14th
round.

Johnson
Chicago was
23- Paul 1 17/03/195 knocked
Win 2
MD Stadium, Chicago, down in
Andrews 0 4
Illinois the first
round.

48- Miami Beach

Charley TK 15/02/195
Win 17- 8 Auditorium, Miami
2 Doc Williams O 4
Beach, Florida

Jimmy
26- 1 29/01/195 St. Nicholas 5-4, 7-3,
Win 9-5
"The Spoiler" SD 4-5.
0 4 Arena, New York City
Slade

29- Hershey Sports

Chubby 1 19/11/195 9-1, 7-2-
Win 35- UD Arena, Hershey, 1, 6-4.
4 Wright 0 3
Pennsylvania

54- Milwaukee
1 07/11/195 6-2, 8-1,
Win 17- Henry Hall UD Auditorium, Milwauke 8-1.
5 0 3
e, Wisconsin

Shibe
81- Ezzard 1 08/09/195 6-3, 4-5,
Win 9-1
SD Park, Philadelphia, 7-3.
Charles 0 3
Pennsylvania

8- 1 11/05/195 Dinner
Win 6-2
Toxie Hall UD
0 3 Key, Miami, Florida

28-
Billy 1 21/03/195 Toledo Sports
Win 14- UD
2 Gilliam 0 3 Arena, Toledo, Ohio

Jimmy
23- 1 16/01/195 St. Nicholas 5-4, 10-0,
Win 5-4
"The Spoiler" UD 7-3.
0 3 Arena, New York City
Slade

Boxing From
21- Nino 1 24/11/195 Eastern 8-1, 10-0,
Win 4-3
UD 10-1.
Valdes 0 2 Parkway,Brooklyn,
New York
 Satterfield
knocked
28- Philadelphia out at
Bob 06/10/195
Win 13- KO 2 Arena, Philadelphia, 1:58 of
2 Satterfield 2 the
Pennsylvania
second
round.

Morrow
knocked
23- Leonard 16/09/195 out at
Win 6-1 KO 3 Toledo, Ohio 1:55 of
Morrow 2
the third
round.

27- Chicago
Bob 1 06/08/195 49-51, 52-
Loss 13- SD Stadium, Chicago, 48, 46-54.
2 Satterfield 0 2
Illinois

Philadelphia
31- Clarence 1 17/03/195
Win 2-1 SD Arena, Philadelphia,
Henry 0 2
Pennsylvania

12
7- Archie 1 29/01/195 Toledo Sports 53-46, 53-
Loss 19-
UD 46, 56-44.
Moore 0 2 Arena, Toledo, Ohio
8

12
7- Archie 1 10/12/195 Arena, Milwauke 5-4, 5-4,
Win 18- UD 6-4.
Moore 0 1 e, Wisconsin
8

12 Philadelphia 5-4-1, 6-
5- Archie 1 24/09/195
Loss 18- UD Arena, Philadelphia, 3-1, 6-3-
Moore 0 1 1.
8 Pennsylvania

26- Philadelphia
Chubby 1 23/07/195
Win 31- UD Arena, Philadelphia,
3 Wright 0 1
Pennsylvania

Referee
Philadelphia stopped
28- Elkins TK 1 18/06/195 the bout
Win 6-1
Arena, Philadelphia, at 1:53 of
Brothers O 0 1
Pennsylvania the tenth
round.

42- Madison Square

Chuck 09/02/195
Win 17- PTS 8 Garden, New York
1 Hunter 1
City

Win KO 4 Wilkerson
22- Dusty 22/01/195 Philadelphia knocked
 13 Wilkerson 1 Arena, Philadelphia, out at
Pennsylvania 2:04 of
the fourth
round.

4- Philadelphia
Harry 18/12/195
Win 28- KO 2 Arena, Philadelphia,
3 Daniels 0
Pennsylvania

Johnson
counted out
Philadelphia at 1:03 of the
Los 45- Jersey third round
14-2
KO 3 08/02/1950 Arena, Philadelphia, after
s Joe Walcott
Pennsylvania collapsing
due to a
back injury.

Bert
Wi 66- 1
18-7
"Chocolate PTS 07/12/1949 Dayton, Ohio
n 0
Kid" Lytell

Philadelphia
Wi 72- Jimmy 1 Convention
16-1
UD 26/10/1949 5-4, 6-4, 6-4.
n Bivins 0 Center,Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania

Borchert
Wi 47- 1 7-2, 10-0, 9-
14-4
Henry Hall UD 25/07/1949 Field, Milwaukee, 0.
n 0
Wisconsin

Milwaukee
Wi 47- 1
12-4
Henry Hall UD 16/06/1949 Auditorium, Milwaukee,
n 0
Wisconsin

Philadelphia
Los 102- Archie 1 Convention
17-7
UD 26/04/1949
s Moore 0 Center,Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Wi 83- Arturo 1 Convention
19-9
UD 23/02/1949
n Godoy 0 Center,Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Wi Lee Convention
7-18 KO 7 14/12/1948
n Willard Center,Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania

20-
Wi 15-5 Jim PTS 8 09/11/1948 Allentown,
n Holden Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Referee
stopped the
Wi 27- Agostinho Convention
11-2
TKO 3 28/09/1948 bout at 2:16
n Guedes Center,Philadelphia, of the third
Pennsylvania round.

Waltz Dream
Wi Vernon
5-0-1 PTS 8 13/05/1948 Arena, Atlantic City,
n Williams
New Jersey

Philadelphia
Wi Kenny 1
14-3 UD 29/03/1948 Arena, Philadelphia,
n Harris 0
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Wi Kenny
14-2 UD 8 01/03/1948 Arena, Philadelphia,
n Harris
Pennsylvania

Waltz Dream
Wi 5-17-
3
Kid Wolfe PTS 8 11/12/1947 Arena, Atlantic City,
n
New Jersey

Philadelphia
Wi 64- Herbie
23-3
KO 1 24/11/1947 Arena, Philadelphia,
n Katz
Pennsylvania

Waltz Dream
Wi 23- Jimmy
20-5
KO 5 06/11/1947 Arena, Atlantic City,
n Moore
New Jersey

Philadelphia
Wi
2-0 Eddie Beazley TKO 1 06/10/1947 Arena, Philadelphia,
n
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Wi 48- Municipal
63-7
Al Pinel PTS 6 04/08/1947
n Stadium,Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Ruth
Wi Tommy knocked out
16-1 KO 6 08/07/1947 Arena, Philadelphia, at 1:17 of the
n Ruth
Pennsylvania sixth round.

Referee
Philadelphia stopped the
Wi Fred
3-3-1 TKO 8 26/05/1947 Arena, Philadelphia, bout at 1:52
n Lester of the eighth
Pennsylvania
round.
 Philadelphia
Wi Leon
17-10 TKO 3 28/04/1947 Arena, Philadelphia,
n Szymurski
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Wi 26-
51-11
Tony Gillo PTS 6 10/03/1947 Arena, Philadelphia,
n
Pennsylvania

Philadelphia
Wi
-- Joe Van Loan TKO 2 17/02/1947 Arena, Philadelphia,
n
Pennsylvania

William Allen High

Wi 11-7- Jim
2
KO 4 10/02/1947 School, Allentown,
n Holden
Pennsylvania

Reading
Wi Chappie
4-7-4 PTS 6 24/01/1947 Armory, Reading,
n Manning
Pennsylvania

Cambria
Wi 18- Frank
10-3
TKO 2 10/01/1947 A.C., Philadelphia,
n Lowry
Pennsylvania

Cambria
Wi Randy
0-3-1 KO 4 25/10/1946 A.C., Philadelphia,
n Ingram
Pennsylvania

Wi Jack Allentown,
1-0 KO 4 25/09/1946
n Simon Pennsylvania

Wi Charles
2-0 KO 2 20/08/1946 Pennsylvania
n Lester

Wi Wilmington,
-- Joe Riley KO 2 30/07/1946
n Delaware