Harold Johnson (boxer)

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
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	88
Wins	76
Wins by KO	32
Losses	11
Draws	0
No contests	1

Harold Johnson (born August 9, 1928), is a former professional boxer.

Johnson was born in Roxborough, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He won his first twenty-four fights before losing a ten round decision to Archie Moore, who would be Johnson's biggest career rival. Johnson rebounded to beat Jimmy Bivins, but was again defeated, losing a third round knock out to future heavyweight champion Jersey Joe Walcott after suffering an injury to a disc in his back. A year later he resumed his rivalry with Archie Moore, fighting Moore three times in a row, losing the rematch by a decision, winning the rubber match by decision, and losing the fourth bout by another decision.

Johnson would then split two fights with Bob Satterfield and win a decision over heavyweight contender Nino Valdez, before winning a disputed split decision over former heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles. Johnson would finally get a title shot eight years into his career in his fifth and final fight against Archie Moore in 1954, in Moore's third defense of his light heavyweight title. In an exciting fight, Johnson knocked Moore down in the 10th round, and was ahead in the scorecards after 13 rounds. But Moore rallied, knocking Johnson down and stopping him in the 14th round.

When the National Boxing Association (NBA) withdrew recognition of Archie Moore as light heavyweight champion, Johnson defeated Jesse Bowdry in 1961 by a 9th round technical knock out to capture the vacant NBA title. Later that year he defeated heavyweight contender Eddie Machen by a ten round decision and defended his title with a split decision victory over light heavyweight contender Eddie Cotton.

After two defenses of his NBA title, Johnson gained universal recognition as light heavyweight champion when he defeated Doug Jones in 1962 by a decision in fifteen rounds. He defended that undisputed title twice, but lost it in his second defense to Willie Pastrano in 1963, by a split decision in fifteen rounds. Johnson would never fight for a title again, and retired in 1971 with a record of 76-10 and 32 knock outs.

Harold Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 2002, Harold was ranked #80 on Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years.^[1]

Professional boxing record

76 Wins (32 knockouts, 44 decisions), 11 Losses (5 knockouts, 6 decisions)
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	24-17-2	Herschel Jacobs	TKO	3	30/03/1971	Sunnyside Gardens, Queens, New York City	Referee stopped the bout at 0:24 of the third round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22-16-3	Johnny Alford	UD	10	11/06/1968	Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13-0	Lothar Stengel	PTS	10	03/02/1968	Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7-5	Eddie "Bossman" Jones	PTS	10	07/08/1967	Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22-13-2	Herschel Jacobs	UD	10	01/05/1967	New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana	7-1, 7-3, 6-3.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	36-14-4	Pekka Kokkonen	PTS	10	06/12/1966	Stadthalle, Vienna
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	13-3-1	Johnny Persol	UD	10	07/01/1966	Madison Square Garden, New York City	4-5, 4-5, 3-6.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	30-5-6	Hank Casey	KO	8	20/04/1964	Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California	Casey knocked out at 1:19 of the eighth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	56-18-3	Henry Hank	UD	10	06/12/1963	The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	49-42, 50-41, 48-44.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	57-11-8	Willie Pastrano	SD	15	01/06/1963	Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada	WBC/WBA World Light Heavyweight Titles. 68-69, 69-68, 67-69.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24-18-2	Tommy Merrill	TKO	9	19/03/1963	Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	85-1-6	Gustav Scholz	UD	15	23/06/1962	Olympiastadion, Westend, Berlin	World Light Heavyweight Title. 73-70, 72-64, 72-70.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19-1	Doug Jones	UD	15	12/05/1962	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	World Light Heavyweight Title. 74-61, 73-64, 71-63.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	39-11-1	Eddie Cotton	SD	15	29/08/1961	Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington	NBA World Light Heavyweight Title. 147-145, 147-145, 144-148.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	37-3-1	Eddie Machen	PTS	10	01/07/1961	Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey	5-4.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	13-3-2	Von Clay	TKO	2	24/04/1961	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	NBA World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:28 of the second round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29-5	Jesse Bowdry	TKO	9	07/02/1961	Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida	NBA World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:45 of the ninth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10-8	Clarence Floyd	UD	10	04/05/1960	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	50-41, 50-40, 49-41.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	19-8-6	Sonny Ray	TKO	10	11/11/1959	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	Referee stopped the bout at 1:18 of the tenth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8-11-1	Johnny York	TKO	6	04/08/1959	Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts	Referee stopped the bout at 1:38 of the sixth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14-13-1	Rudy Watkins	KO	6	15/12/1958	Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Watkins knocked out at 1:42 of the sixth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	35-15-7	Howard "Honeyboy" King	UD	10	03/12/1958	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	48-43, 49-43, 49-44.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	10-12	Ollie Wilson	TKO	2	15/04/1958	Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	24-11-2	Bert Whitehurst	UD	10	17/01/1958	Syracuse War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York	6-3, 7-2, 7-1.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	44-18	Sid Peaks	KO	5	17/12/1957	Toledo, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16-6-2	Wayne Bethea	UD	10	10/09/1957	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	40-10	Clarence Hinnant	KO	1	31/05/1957	St. Nicholas Arena, New York City	Hinnant knocked out at 1:24 of the first round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	46-22-4	Bob Satterfield	UD	10	12/03/1957	Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida	96-93, 97-91, 98-93.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22-9-2	Bert Whitehurst	PTS	10	08/12/1956	Portland Exposition Building, Portland, Maine
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	17-8-2	Julio Mederos	TKO	2	06/05/1955	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29-4	Paul Andrews	KO	6	11/02/1955	Madison Square Garden, New York City	Andrews knocked out at 1:46 of the sixth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20-5-2	Marty Marshall	UD	10	22/12/1954	Detroit Olympia, Detroit, Michigan	96-82, 95-82, 98-82.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	15-5-2	Julio Mederos	UD	10	07/12/1954	Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida	98-92, 99-92, 98-95.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	55-22-4	Oakland Billy Smith	KO	2	08/10/1954	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Johnson knocked out at 1:22 of the second round.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	145-19-8	Archie Moore	TKO	14	11/08/1954	Madison Square Garden, New York City	World Light Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:56 of the 14th round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23-2	Paul Andrews	MD	10	17/03/1954	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	48-17-2	Charley Doc Williams	TKO	8	15/02/1954	Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26-9-5	Jimmy "The Spoiler" Slade	SD	10	29/01/1954	St. Nicholas Arena, New York City	5-4, 7-3, 4-5.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	29-35-4	Chubby Wright	UD	10	19/11/1953	Hershey Sports Arena, Hershey, Pennsylvania	9-1, 7-2-1, 6-4.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	54-17-5	Henry Hall	UD	10	07/11/1953	Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	6-2, 8-1, 8-1.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	81-9-1	Ezzard Charles	SD	10	08/09/1953	Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	6-3, 4-5, 7-3.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	8-6-2	Toxie Hall	UD	10	11/05/1953	Dinner Key, Miami, Florida
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28-14-2	Billy Gilliam	UD	10	21/03/1953	Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23-5-4	Jimmy "The Spoiler" Slade	UD	10	16/01/1953	St. Nicholas Arena, New York City	5-4, 10-0, 7-3.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	21-4-3	Nino Valdes	UD	10	24/11/1952	Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York	8-1, 10-0, 10-1.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28-13-2	Bob Satterfield	KO	2	06/10/1952	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Satterfield knocked out at 1:58 of the second round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23-6-1	Leonard Morrow	KO	3	16/09/1952	Toledo, Ohio	Morrow knocked out at 1:55 of the third round.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	27-13-2	Bob Satterfield	SD	10	06/08/1952	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	49-51, 52-48, 46-54.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	31-2-1	Clarence Henry	SD	10	17/03/1952	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	127-19-8	Archie Moore	UD	10	29/01/1952	Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio	53-46, 53-46, 56-44.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	127-18-8	Archie Moore	UD	10	10/12/1951	Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	5-4, 5-4, 6-4.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	125-18-8	Archie Moore	UD	10	24/09/1951	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26-31-3	Chubby Wright	UD	10	23/07/1951	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	28-6-1	Elkins Brothers	TKO	10	18/06/1951	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Referee stopped the bout at 1:53 of the tenth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	42-17-1	Chuck Hunter	PTS	8	09/02/1951	Madison Square Garden, New York City
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	22-13	Dusty Wilkerson	KO	4	22/01/1951	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Wilkerson knocked out at 2:04 of the fourth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4-28-3	Harry Daniels	KO	2	18/12/1950	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	45-14-2	Jersey Joe Walcott	KO	3	08/02/1950	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Johnson knocked out at 1:03 of the third round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	66-18-7	Bert "Chocolate Kid" Lytell	PTS	10	07/12/1949	Dayton, Ohio
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	72-16-1	Jimmy Bivins	UD	10	26/10/1949	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	5-4, 6-4, 6-4.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	47-14-4	Henry Hall	UD	10	25/07/1949	Borchert Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin	7-2, 10-0, 9-0.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	47-12-4	Henry Hall	UD	10	16/06/1949	Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	102-17-7	Archie Moore	UD	10	26/04/1949	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	83-19-9	Arturo Godoy	UD	10	23/02/1949	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	7-18	Lee Willard	KO	7	14/12/1948	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	20-15-5	Jim Holden	PTS	8	09/11/1948	Allentown, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	27-11-2	Agostinho Guedes	TKO	3	28/09/1948	Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Referee stopped the bout at 2:16 of the third round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5-0-1	Vernon Williams	PTS	8	13/05/1948	Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14-3	Kenny Harris	UD	10	29/03/1948	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	14-2	Kenny Harris	UD	8	01/03/1948	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	5-17-3	Kid Wolfe	PTS	8	11/12/1947	Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	64-23-3	Herbie Katz	KO	1	24/11/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	23-20-5	Jimmy Moore	KO	5	06/11/1947	Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2-0	Eddie Beazley	TKO	1	06/10/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	48-63-7	Al Pinel	PTS	6	04/08/1947	Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	16-1	Tommy Ruth	KO	6	08/07/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Ruth knocked out at 1:17 of the sixth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	3-3-1	Fred Lester	TKO	8	26/05/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Referee stopped the bout at 1:52 of the eighth round.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	17-10	Leon Szymurski	TKO	3	28/04/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	26-51-11	Tony Gillo	PTS	6	10/03/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	--	Joe Van Loan	TKO	2	17/02/1947	Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	11-7-2	Jim Holden	KO	4	10/02/1947	William Allen High School, Allentown, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	4-7-4	Chappie Manning	PTS	6	24/01/1947	Reading Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	18-10-3	Frank Lowry	TKO	2	10/01/1947	Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	0-3-1	Randy Ingram	KO	4	25/10/1946	Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	1-0	Jack Simon	KO	4	25/09/1946	Allentown, Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	2-0	Charles Lester	KO	2	20/08/1946	Pennsylvania
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	--	Joe Riley	KO	2	30/07/1946	Wilmington, Delaware

References

External links

Book: Harold Johnson

• Professional boxing record for Harold Johnson from BoxRec