By David Martinez / dmboxing.com
I am saddened to report the passing of one of my best friends, HBO Boxing’s Harold Lederman. After battling cancer, Harold passed away Saturday, May 11, 2019. He was 79 years old.
Harold was truly a boxing icon. He was also a special friend and one of the kindest people I ever met.
We met over 20 years ago, during my tenure as Boxing Historian and Board Member for the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Since that time, we remained in close contact and I often shared his podcast videos, “Hey Harold” for my readers, on this website. We also even exchanged Christmas cards every year.
In October, 2013 Harold was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. Due to a commitment with HBO he was unable to attend his induction ceremony. I was so honored that he picked me to receive his induction award, in his absence.
Harold was licensed as a professional boxing judge in 1967, and established himself as one of the world’s top judges long before joining HBO in 1986.
He judged more than 100 world title fights on six continents, and in his 32 years of sitting ringside for HBO, judged over 1,000 fights as their “Unofficial Official”.
He retired as an active judge in 1999, but remained with HBO Boxing until they left the airwaves in December 2018.
Among some of the more noteworthy bouts Harold worked were: Duran vs. DeJesus 1, Ali vs. Norton 3, Wilfredo Gomez vs. Lupe Pintor and Larry Holmes vs, Michael Spinks 1. He also judged bouts involving Sugar Ray Leonard, Emile Griffith, Thomas Hearns, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr., James Toney, Evander Holyfield, Marvin Hagler, Alexis Arguello, Ray Boom Boom Mancini, Hector Camacho, Sr. and just about every other top pro in his era. There are too many to list …
Harold worked as a pharmacist, but eventually gave up the pharmacy work to fully commit to HBO.
In 1996 he was inducted in the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016.
He is survived by his lovely wife Eileen, along with daughters Iris and Julie.
Funeral services are on Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 11am at the Hellman Memorial Chapels, 15 State Street, Spring Valley, New York, 10977, (845) 356-8600.
Harold will be missed by many. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord. Love you Harold!