Boxing History: May 12, 1962 Harold Johnson W 15 Doug Jones, Philadelphia. Johnson wins vacant World Light Heavyweight Title. Johnson’s record: won 76 (KO 32) + lost 11 (KO 5) + drawn 0 = 87…
Harold Johnson (August 9, 1928 – February 19, 2015) was a professional boxer. He held the World Light Heavyweight Championship from 1962 to 1963.
Called “one of the best technical boxers of all time” by The Boxing Register.
His father, Phil Johnson, was also a professional boxer. Phil and Harold 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.
Started boxing while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.
Defeated future Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Bivins, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore.
Fought Archie Moore five times. The first four fights were non-title bouts which went the 10-round distance. Moore won the first two, Johnson the third and Moore the fourth. In their fifth fight, Moore came from behind to stop Johnson in 14 rounds to retain the World Light Heavyweight Championship.
Withdrew from a scheduled fight against Sonny Liston in 1956 due to a shoulder injury. Liston was 13-1 at the time.
Won the vacant National Boxing Association Light Heavyweight Championship in 1961 with a TKO of Jesse Bowdry and became the Undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion when he outpointed Doug Jones in 1962.
Lost the title to future Hall of Fame inductee Willie Pastrano by a disputed decision in 1963.
Inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.
Named the 7th greatest light heavyweight of all-time by The Ring in 2002.
