Harold Johnson (boxer)

Harold Johnson
Johnson in 1954
Statistics
Real name	Harold Johnson
Nickname(s)	Hercules
Weight(s)	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	February 19, 2015(2015-02-19) (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.

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	Referee stopped the bout at 0:24 of the third round due to a cut over Johnson's right eye.
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	Stengel was down in the second and fifth rounds.
Win	74–10	Eddie "Bossman" 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	7–1, 7–3, 6–3.
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	4–5, 4–5, 3–6.
Win	71–9	Hank Casey	KO	8	April 20, 1964	Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California	Casey knocked out at 1:19 of the eighth round.
Win	70–9	Henry Hank	UD	10	December 6, 1963	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	49–42, 50–41, 48–44.
Loss	69–9	Willie Pastrano	SD	15	June 1, 1963	Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	WBC, WBA and World Light Heavyweight Titles. 68–69, 69–68, 67–69.
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	World Light Heavyweight Title. 73–70, 72–64, 72–70.
Win	67–8	Doug Jones	UD	15	May 12, 1962	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	World Light Heavyweight Title. 74–61, 73–64, 71–63.
Win	66–8	Eddie Cotton	SD	15	August 29, 1961	Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington	NBA Light Heavyweight Title. 147–145, 147–145, 144–148.
Win	65–8	Eddie Machen	PTS	10	July 1, 1961	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey	5–4.
Win	64–8	Von Clay	TKO	2	April 24, 1961	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	NBA Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:28 of the second round.
Win	63–8	Jesse Bowdry	TKO	9	February 7, 1961	Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida	NBA Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:45 of the ninth round.
Win	62–8	Clarence Floyd	UD	10	May 4, 1960	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	50–41, 50–40, 49–41.
Win	61–8	Sonny Ray	TKO	10	November 11, 1959	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	Referee stopped the bout at 1:18 of the tenth round.
Win	60–8	Johnny York	TKO	6	August 4, 1959	Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts	Referee stopped the bout at 1:38 of the sixth round.
Win	59–8	Rudy Watkins	KO	6	December 15, 1958	Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Watkins knocked out at 1:42 of the sixth round.
Win	58–8	Howard "Honeyboy" King	UD	10	December 3, 1958	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	48–43, 49–43, 49–44.
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	6–3, 7–2, 7–1.
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	Hinnant knocked out at 1:24 of the first round.
Win	52–8	Bob Satterfield	UD	10	March 12, 1957	Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida	96–93, 97–91, 98–93.
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	Andrews knocked out at 1:46 of the sixth round.
Win	49–7	Marty Marshall	UD	10	December 22, 1954	Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan	96–82, 95–82, 98–82.
Win	48–7	Julio Mederos	UD	10	December 7, 1954	Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida	98–92, 99–92, 98–95.
Loss	47–7	Oakland Billy Smith	KO	2	October 8, 1954	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Johnson knocked out at 1:22 of the second round.
Loss	47–6	Archie Moore	TKO	14	August 11, 1954	Madison Square Garden, New York City	World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:56 of the 14th round.
Win	47–5	Paul Andrews	MD	10	March 17, 1954	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	Johnson was knocked down in the first round.
Win	46–5	Charley Doc Williams	TKO	8	February 15, 1954	Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win	45–5	Jimmy "The Spoiler" Slade	SD	10	January 29, 1954	St. Nicholas Arena, New York City	5–4, 7–3, 4–5.
Win	44–5	Chubby Wright	UD	10	November 19, 1953	Hershey Sports Arena, Hershey, Pennsylvania	9–1, 7–2–1, 6–4.
Win	43–5	Henry Hall	UD	10	November 7, 1953	Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	6–2, 8–1, 8–1.
Win	42–5	Ezzard Charles	SD	10	September 8, 1953	Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	6–3, 4–5, 7–3.
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 "The Spoiler" Slade	UD	10	January 16, 1953	St. Nicholas Arena, New York City	5–4, 10–0, 7–3.
Win	38–5	Nino Valdes	UD	10	November 24, 1952	Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York	8–1, 10–0, 10–1.
Win	37–5	Bob Satterfield	KO	2	October 6, 1952	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Satterfield knocked out at 1:58 of the second round.
Win	36–5	Leonard Morrow	KO	3	September 16, 1952	Toledo, Ohio	Morrow knocked out at 1:55 of the third round.
Loss	35–5	Bob Satterfield	SD	10	August 6, 1952	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	49–51, 52–48, 46–54.
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	53–46, 53–46, 56–44.
Win	34–3	Archie Moore	UD	10	December 10, 1951	Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	5–4, 5–4, 6–4.
Loss	33–3	Archie Moore	UD	10	September 24, 1951	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	5–4–1, 6–3–1, 6–3–1.
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	Referee stopped the bout at 1:53 of the tenth round.
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	Wilkerson knocked out at 2:04 of the fourth round.
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	Johnson counted out at 1:03 of the third round after collapsing due to a back injury.
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	5–4, 6–4, 6–4.
Win	26–1	Henry Hall	UD	10	July 25, 1949	Borchert Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	7–2, 10–0, 9–0.
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	Referee stopped the bout at 2:16 of the third round.
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	Ruth knocked out at 1:17 of the sixth round.
Win	11–0	Fred Lester	TKO	8	May 26, 1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Referee stopped the bout at 1:52 of the eighth round.
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 lineal boxing world champions
• List of light heavyweight boxing champions

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Harold Johnson (boxer).

• Professional boxing record for Harold Johnson from BoxRec
• Harold Johnson – CBZ Profile