Harold Carter

[Scypion]

A kind of forgotten boxer from the 50's, Carter beat some good fighters along the way.

Maybe most well known for losing in the finals of the New York Tournament of Champions to 17 year old Floyd Patterson in the 175 lb. division. With Patterson gone from the amateur ranks, Carter won that same title the next year as well as the Inter-city golden gloves championship in the 175 lb. division. Harold's overall amateur record was 28 wins with 2 losses. His wins included 24 by KO.

Ring Magazine named him Prospect of the Month in March of 1954. As a pro, he beat Bob Baker, Bob Satterfield twice including one by KO, Johnny Summerlin, Wayne Bethea twice, Willi Besmanoff, and Julio Mederos twice. Carter appeared to be on his way when he lost to Alex Miteff in 1959. After that, he seemed to be used as an opponent for contenders to fatten up their records. Don't know what happened to Harold who seemed to have so much potential.

Harold Carter died at the young age of 53 in 1987. Don't know what happened to him. Anyone know?

There was a Harold Carter from Cleveland that was killed in a shooting, but he was not the same guy.

[Scypion]

Harold Carter was rated as high as number 3 in the heavyweight division at the end of 1956 by Ring Magazine. After beating Bob Baker in January of 1957, Carter was drafted into the army. After his army hitch was over, Carter did not seem to be as good as before and kind of faded away.

[sweetsci]

I often wonder why guys will be on a roll and then disappear for a while. Carter being drafted explains his situation. That said, it looks like he was only inactive for a year and a half. Was his hitch that short, was he allowed to fight after a period of time, or what?

That draft timing was really unfortunate for Carter. After the Baker win he was up to #3 in Ring's monthly ratings as well as #3 by the NBA for a few months, right behind Tommy Jackson and Eddie Machen in both Ring and the NBA.

[Scypion]

I often wonder why guys will be on a roll and then disappear for a while. Carter being drafted explains his situation. That said, it looks like he was only inactive for a year and a half. Was his hitch that short, was he allowed to fight after a period of time, or what?

That draft timing was really unfortunate for Carter. After the Baker win he was up to #3 in Ring's monthly ratings as well as #3 by the NBA for a few months, right behind Tommy Jackson and Eddie Machen in both Ring and the NBA.

I happen to know that military training is good(?) for the military, but not good for the serviceman. There was no war on in 1957, so maybe they let Carter out early.

Sometimes, a boxer will take a beating in the ring and his career will go downhill after that. Marvin Hagler would wear down boxers. Willie "the worm" Monroe actually beat Hagler in their first fight, but was stopped in their second. Monroe's career seemed to go downhill after that. Hagler was like that. Even if he didn't beat you, he would still hurt you. I think that Ray Leonard was smart to not give Hagler a rematch.