Harold Hardwick
Name: Harold Hardwick
Birth Name: Harold Hampton Hardwick
Hometown: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Birthplace: Balmain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died: 1959-02-22 (Age:70)
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 188cm
Reach: 198cm
Pro Boxer: Record
Amateur Boxer: Record
Photo 2
Harold Hardwick was born in Sydney March 17, 1889. He stood at 6’0” tall and weighed around 170-180lb. He was also one of Australia’s best ever all-round sportsmen, playing first grade Rugby, winning a Gold Medal at the 1912 Olympic Games for Swimming, and also being a more than handy pugilist.
As an amateur boxer he won the Gold medal at the Festival Of The Empire Games in 1911 in London (this was the forerunner to the Commonwealth games). His bouts in that tournament were against English favourite William Hazell and Canadian Julius Thompson. He won both bouts with first round knockouts. He returned home to win the New South Wales and Australian amateur heavyweight titles. He turned professional in 1914, and amazingly fought for the vacant Australian Heavyweight title being thrown in against the more experienced Les O’Donnell in his first fight (Dave Smith had vacated the title to train Les Darcy). Even more amazing is the fact that Hardwick completely dominated his more experienced foe to take out a comfortable 20 round point’s decision. In winning this fight, Hardwick became the only man (even to this day), to win an Australian title in his first bout. His next fight was against the former Australian Version World Middleweight titleholder Mick King. In an excellent performance Hardwick again dominated to win by a 20 round point’s decision. Unlike a lot of modern day fighters, Hardwick was not the subject of a carefully orchestrated career, but instead was thrown to the wolves by incompetent and greedy managers.
His next opponent was American Jeff Smith (who had also claimed the World middleweight title). Hardwick did well to survive the full 20 rounds, losing by decision. According to reports in the Australian press Hardwick signed articles to meet Ben Doyle for the vacant Australian heavyweight title on June 29. Instead Eddie McGoorty(yet another World Middleweight title claimant), from the USA was up against Hardwick next. McGoorty used all his experience (and his good left hook) to knockout the game Australian in 7 rounds. Hardwick then got his career back on track with a 20 round point’s win over another American Joe Bonds in Sydney.
Hardwick then travelled to New Zealand to knockout their heavyweight champion Albert Pooley, in 7 rounds. He then returned to Sydney to lose to Harry Reeve by 20 round point’s decision. Harold’s next bout was perhaps his most famous, against the Maitland boy Les Darcy, who was belting the living suitcase out of everyone he faced. With the Australian heavyweight title at stake, Darcy proceeded to pummel Hardwick and knock him out in 7 rounds, but not before Hardwick had knocked two of Darcy’s teeth out in the 5th round. It was supposedly the infection from having these teeth riveted back into his gum that killed Les Darcy in 1917. Hardwick retired after this fight, however he came back for one fight in 1919, losing to Arthur Townley by 12th round TKO in London. Hardwick then retired for good. He lived out his life in Sydney, and passed away there in 1959.
Total Bouts: 9, Wins 4 (1), Losses 5 (3).