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I am inclined to think so and I don't see why not.
I have read plenty of Top 100 ATG lists, varying from Historians I see as legit, to the likes of Bert Sugar and even simply posters on forums.
The Ring Magazine had him at #80 out of the best 80 fighters from 1920-2000 but I can't recall ever seeing Harold Johnson amongst their Top 100.
Johnson is a HOF'er and the Lightweight Champion of the world albeit he won it as a vacant title, and in my opinion a Top 10 Light Heavyweight. Plenty have disagreed with me on that but I certainly believe he is.
He beat;
Henry Hall
Bert Lytell
Archie Moore
Bob Satterfield x2
Paul Andrews x2
Marty Mashall
Sonny Ray
Doug Jones
Gustav Scholz
Willie Pastrano
Henry Hank
Eddie Jones
Jimmy Bivins
Nino Valdes
Jimmy Slade x2
Ezzard Charles
Eddie Machen
All of which were Top 10, a handful Top 5. And a handful also went on to be ranked from Top 5 to #1 in their division after the bouts with Johnson. Which is a pretty solid resume If I ever saw one.
The obvious names that stand out on his resume are HOF'ers; Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Jimmy Bivins and Willie Pastrano. (I count Pastrano because Johnson won the fight regarldess to the fact they gave Pastrano the descion).Which are very impressive wins
Archie Moore had his number and that downplays his career a little having those 3 losses to him but this is Archie Moore we are talking about; A top 20 ATG and to some peoples standards a Top 10 ATG. Also, in one of their encounters I can't recall which one, Johnson was leading comfortabely in the fight going into the 14th but was stopped in the 14th.
Along with those names he has veyr solid wins such as; Satterfield, Valdez, Machen, Jones, amongst others.
To me, that is a Top 100 ATG level fighter, atleast.
What do you guys think?
I have read plenty of Top 100 ATG lists, varying from Historians I see as legit, to the likes of Bert Sugar and even simply posters on forums.
The Ring Magazine had him at #80 out of the best 80 fighters from 1920-2000 but I can't recall ever seeing Harold Johnson amongst their Top 100.
Johnson is a HOF'er and the Lightweight Champion of the world albeit he won it as a vacant title, and in my opinion a Top 10 Light Heavyweight. Plenty have disagreed with me on that but I certainly believe he is.
He beat;
Henry Hall
Bert Lytell
Archie Moore
Bob Satterfield x2
Paul Andrews x2
Marty Mashall
Sonny Ray
Doug Jones
Gustav Scholz
Willie Pastrano
Henry Hank
Eddie Jones
Jimmy Bivins
Nino Valdes
Jimmy Slade x2
Ezzard Charles
Eddie Machen
All of which were Top 10, a handful Top 5. And a handful also went on to be ranked from Top 5 to #1 in their division after the bouts with Johnson. Which is a pretty solid resume If I ever saw one.
The obvious names that stand out on his resume are HOF'ers; Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Jimmy Bivins and Willie Pastrano. (I count Pastrano because Johnson won the fight regarldess to the fact they gave Pastrano the descion).Which are very impressive wins
Archie Moore had his number and that downplays his career a little having those 3 losses to him but this is Archie Moore we are talking about; A top 20 ATG and to some peoples standards a Top 10 ATG. Also, in one of their encounters I can't recall which one, Johnson was leading comfortabely in the fight going into the 14th but was stopped in the 14th.
Along with those names he has veyr solid wins such as; Satterfield, Valdez, Machen, Jones, amongst others.
To me, that is a Top 100 ATG level fighter, atleast.
What do you guys think?
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