Harold Johnson (boxer)

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(1928-08-09) 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.

External links

• Professional boxing record for Harold Johnson from BoxRec

}}

Achievements
Preceded by Archie Moore Stripped	NBA Light Heavyweight Champion February 7, 1961 June 1, 1963	Succeeded by Willie Pastrano
Preceded by Archie Moore Vacated	WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion May 12, 1962- June 1, 1963