Harold Weston

Harold Weston

New York Welterweight

The 'Consummate Professional'

Trained by; Harold Weston Sr.
Managed by; Gil Clancy
Co-Managed by; Howie Albert

The 27 year-old had to retire in May 1979, after suffering a detached
retina in a bout with Thomas 'Hit Man' Hearns.
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Born in 1952, Harold started boxing at the Telstar Gym at West 28th Street in New York City,
when he was only 15 (1967).

He soon had a nickname, 'Baby Harold'.

The 5' 8" boxer-stylist from New York, and Golden Gloves Boxer at
Welterweight, was a pure boxer and one of boxings good guy.

Harold reached the Finals of the 1969 New York Golden Gloves in the
Welterweight 'Novice Class'.

In 1970, Harold won the New York Golden Gloves Welterweight 'Open Division'.

In the Finals, and in front of 20,000 spectators, Harold defeated Ronald Columbus.

Harold posted an amteur career of 46-6.

A 'crafty boxer', who was a regular at Madison Square Garden and The Felt Forum.

Turned professional in July 1970 at age 18, and quickly established himself
as a solid boxer and potential Welterweight contender, by going 12-1-0 (4 KO's)
in his first '13-Bouts'.

Harold's opponent list goes on and on;

Chu Chu Malave (2X)
Vito Antuofermo
Mario Saurennann (2X)
Fausto 'Ceja' Rodriguez
Bruno Arcari
Johnny Gant
Rocky Mattioli
Hedgemon Lewis
Saoul Mamby
Rafael Rodriguez
Wilfred Benitez (2X)
Jimmy Heair
Andy Price
Jose 'Pipino' Cuevas
Sammy Masias
Thomas Hearns

 

Harold had the 'right combination' to defeat either WBA Welterweight Champion-
Angel 'Cholo' Espada in 1976, or WBC Champion - Carlos Palomino in 1977.

He came close in the 'rematch' against Wilfred Benitez in 1979.

A 'pesky' fighter, who was 'well-schooled'.

After defeating Rocky Mattioli by 10-Round Decision in September 1975, in Australia.

Rocky asked Harold, 'Who the hell are you, I have never heard of you before.'

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Gear-Head

Wednesday Night - August 19, 1971

Madison Square Garden

145 lb. Welterweight Bout

Hardold Weston (New York)................12-1-0 (4 KO's)
vs.
Edwin 'Chu Chu' Malave (Puerto Rico)...10-2-0 (5 KO's)

A very rare bout scheduled for '9-Rounds'

One of the 'best' preliminary bouts of the year.

'Chu Chu' won a 'razor-thin' Split-Decision. That victory by 'Chu Chu' made him
a New York City Star.

A 'tough loss' for Harold, who would experience a few of those Decision Losses
during his career.

 

By May 1972,,,,

Harold was 'floundering' with a record of 15-4-1 (4 KO's).

He had lost back-to-back 10-Round Decisions to, 'Chu Chu' Malave in a re-match,
and another Welterweight Prospect, Jose Rodriguez.

In June 1972, 20 year-old Harold was called to duty, as he was Drafted into the U.S. Army.

Originally stationed at Fort Hood, Texas - Harold was eventually able to transfer to Fort Dix, New Jersey.

In July 1973, Harold was able to get a 'temporary waiver' to enter in a bout at Madison Square Garden.

On July 9, 1973 - Harold was part of a Main Event at Madison Square Garden, and to be an opponent for
154 lb. Light-Middleweight, 'undefeated' 20 year-old 'Brooklynite' Vito Antuofermo 17-0-1 (8 KOs).

The 152 lb. - 21 year-old - Harold Weston, and out of the ring for 14-Months, slashed and cut-up
'the tough brute' Vito Antuofermo, enroute to a TKO 5 victory.

The victory was the 'biggest' in the young 21 year-old Harold Weston's career.

 

Early 1974

Still in the U.S. Army,

21 1/2 year-old - Harold was able to get 'temporary waivers' to get a couple of New York bouts.

Monday Night - February 25, 1974 (Felt Forum, New York City)

Harold Weston 16-4-1 (5 KO's) takes on 'last minute replacement', the tough Philadelphia Welterweight -
Mario Saurennann 17-14-7 (4 KO's).

Harold was scheduled to face, Domincan Welterweight, 'the stylist boxer', #17 ranked - Dario Hidalgo.

In an exciting battle at 150 lbs., Harold is given all he can handle by Saurennann, as the
the tough Philly Fighter switches from boxer to brawler, in pressuring Harold the entire fight.

Harold is unable to keep Saurennann off him, and has a hard time scoring with any clean punches,
as Mario stays in close and keeps busy with his quick fists.

Harold, lands the harder punches, but is unable to maintain a consistent offense, as Saurennann
shows a sound defense in blocking Harold's punches.

Harold is awarded a 'disputed' 10-Round Majority Decision.

Scorecards;
Referee, George Coyle..........5-5-0 (Even)
Judge, Tony Castellano........7-3-0 (Harold Weston)
Judge, Ellswoth Simley.........7-3-0 (Harold Weston)

Harold Weston battles Mario Saurennann

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May 13, 1974 (Felt Forum, New York City)

Harold Weston and Mario Saurennann II

In a rematch of their exciting Welterweight bout 3-months earlier.

Harold fights quicker, and leaves Mario Saurennann in the 'dust' this time.

Scoring with sharp left jabs, sweeping left hooks and right hands to body,
'Baby Harold' cruises to a wide Unanimous 10-Round Decision over the tough
Philly Welterweight.

The victory improved the 22 year-old New Yorker to 18-4-1 (5 KO's), and
earned Harold a #10 Welterweight ranking.

In June 1974, Harolds service to the U.S. Military ended, allowing the 22 year-old
New Yorker to be a 'full-time; professional.

This allowed Harold to set-up a 'big' Main Event bout at the Felt Forum in October 1974.

 

Monday Night - October 24, 1974

Felt Forum - New York City, New York

In New York City's 'Fight of the Year'

23 year-old - Dominican - #4-ranked Fausto 'Ceja' Rodriguez 21-1-0 (14 KO's)
rallied over the last 3-Rounds, to score a 10-Round 'Split-Decision' over
New York's 22 year-old - #10-ranked Harold Weston Jr. 18-5-1 (5 KO's)
in a Welterweight bout.

The 'hard-punching' 'Ceja' Rodriguez, nearly floored Weston in the 2nd-round
with a right-hand to the right eye. But Weston rallied with combinations during
the middle rounds to build up a slight-lead.

Rodriguez, behind on all scorecards afer 7-Rounds, started his rally in Round 8,
by landing his hard right hand, which shook the 'stylist' Weston, and had him on 'shaky pins'.

'Ceja' kept up the aggressive pattern in Round 9, and stunned the 'crafty' Harold
a couple of times with his vaunted right hand.

Rodriguez eventually floored Harold Weston Jr, in Round 10 with a left-hook and right hand,
which appeared to be the difference in the bout.

'Fausto Rodriguez is now in-line for a possible Welterweight Championship
bout versus the 'Great 'Cuban' Jose Napoles.

Scorecards;
* 5-4-1 (Harold Weston Jr.)
* 4-4-2 (5-4 in Points for Fausto Rodriguez)
* 6-4-0 (Fausto Rodriguez)

Harold Weston Jr.
'He closed my eye in the 2nd-Round, and I thought they may have stopped it.
But, I came on the middle rounds, and changed the flow of the fight.
He is very strong, but I out-boxed him fairly easy. He did come
on strong late, because I was a bit tired. I guess the 'knockdown' was the
difference, but I really feel a Draw is the proper decision.'

Fausto 'Ceja' Rodriguez, 'Harold is the best boxer I ever fought. He taught me
a few things in the first half of the bout. But I showed that my right hand
can turn any fight around. It was a 'close-fight', but I won.'

 

Harold Weston Jr.

One 'busy bee'.

Friday Night - March 28, 1975

Rome, Italy

Former WBC Light-Welteweight Champion - Bruno Arcari (149 lbs.) won a 'close' 10-Round
Decision over ''swift' American- Harold Weston (151 lbs.) in a 'welterweight bout'.

The 33 year-old - Arcari scored with sharp right-hand jabs and left hand counter punches, and
controlled the bout early, as the the 22 year-old speedster - Weston fought a 'tepid' fight during
the first '5-Rounds', by ducking everytime the former Champion attacked.

But, Weston was able to score with his fast-hands in Rounds 6 and 8, as Arcari slowed down his pace.

Both fighters went at it in Round 9, scoring with sharp combinations, bringing the Italian fans
to there feet in approval.

The former Light-Welterweight Champion won by a score of 6-3-1 in rounds (Associated Press).

Bruno Arcari improves to 65-2-0, and is charging for a bout with Welterweight Champion -
Jose Napoles, hopefully by June 1975.

Harold Weston, who was the #12 ranked Welterweight drops to 18-6-1, but he has been asked to
return to Italy for another bout by the promoter, to fight 'undefeated' Italian Welterweight
Champion - Domenico Di Jorio (27-0-5).

 

The Felt Forum, New York City bout between Harold Weston Jr. (15-4-1)
and Vito Antuofermo (17-0-1) was referee'd by my friend Herbert 'Herbie' Kronowitz.

A Light-Middleweight bout, between 'two' former 1970 New York Golden Gloves
Welterweight Champions.

Harold Weston won the 1970 'Open Division'. Vito Antuofermo won the 1970 'Novice Division'.

The Fight

Harold won the 1st Round, by boxing in his typical classic style, by jabbing
and moving.

In Round 2, Vito started to bull forward, and was out-muscling Harold, when
suddenly Weston whipped in an overhand right, that sliced a bad cut over
Vito's left eye.

Realizing the cut was bad, Vito turned on a real charge in Rounds 3 and 4, trying
to score a heavy-blow on the crafty Weston, in an attempt to score a knockout.

But Harold was too slick and too smart, and whenever there was an opening, Weston
would counter with a quick right hand on the cut over the left eye.

At the start of Round 5, blood was pouring down Vito's face, and Harold just kept sticking
stiff left jabs on the eye, turning Vito into a 'bloody mess'. Vito kept trying to land
a hard punch and outworked Harold, but near the end of the round Harold smashed a hard
right hand on Vito'e eye, and blood went eveywhere.

Referee Herbie Kronowitz then stopped the bout at 2:53 of Round 5, despite Vito's request
of wanting to continue.

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Harold Weston vs. Vito Antuofermo (Round 2, Felt Forum, New York City - July 9, 1973)

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Harold Weston Jr.

Took one hell of a 'tough road' in second-half of 1975.

'3' tough guys, and all were ranked in the Top 5 of the Welterweight Division.


August 26, 1975 (Maryland) vs. Johnny Gant (35-8-2)

Harold travelled to #4 WBA-ranked Johnny Gant's backyard, and appeared to out-speed
and counter-punch the Maryland Welterweight, over 10-Rounds. But Harold
was jobbed when the bout was ruled a 10-Round Draw.

7-weeks later, Johnny Gant was fighting Angel Espada for the WBA Welterweight
Championship in Puerto Rico.


September 19, 1975 (Australia) vs. Rocky Mattioli (37-3-1)

Harold 'travelled' down under, and boxed rings around the tough hard-punching Italian,
winning a convincing Unanimous 10-Round Decision over the #4 WBC-ranked Mattioli.


December 12, 1975 (New York) vs. Hedgemon Lewis (53-6-1)

Harold battled tooth-and-nail with the 29 year-old crafty Californian,
and rallied big in the last round to earn a 10-Round Draw with the #3 WBC-ranked Lewis.

4-Months later, Hedgemon Lewis was in the United Kingdom, fighting
John H. Stracey for the WBC Welterweight Championship.


At the end of 1975, Harold Weston had a record of 19-6-3, and was ranked
as the #7 Welterweight.

 

Drew,

Harold Weston Jr, was a 'New York Stylist'

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