Lederman: On Kirkland-Molina, Mayweather-Pac, NY Induction & MORE!

NEW Interview with HBO’s “Unofficial” Official

April 1 will be a very special day for boxing veteran Harold Lederman.

Adding to his already-bulging mantle of awards and accolades, HBO’s “unofficial” official will accept his newest honor as he heads into the brand new New York State Boxing Hall of Fame during Ring 8’s inaugural ceremony to be held THIS Sunday at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York. When the fan favorite boxing analyst steps up to the podium, he will no doubt think of the decades he has invested into the sport he loves.

Joining several luminaries in the boxing and non-boxing categories, Lederman will take his place in history alongside Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Emile Griffith, the late Benny Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, trainer Gil Clancy, Arthur Mercante Sr., and others voted into this top-notch Class of 2012.

This auspicious moment may also be a bittersweet one for the Orangeburg, New York resident, who is currently battling prostate cancer, heart problems and diabetes. But this irrepressible figure in boxing has not let his health issues dent his extreme passion for the sport.

I chatted with Harold as his NY induction nears. Before our conversation, I wondered if the cancer treatments had zapped any of his normal ebullience, for which he is known for (“Okay, Jim, I gotta tell ya something!”). If anything, Lederman is even more passionate about the fight game as his recent health scares has caused him to take stock of his long and successful career. This World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee’s knowledge of the game is never-ending and yet somehow his voracious appetite for the sport has never faded. Never jaded, Harold has always remained enthusiastic about his love of the sweet science. Come Sunday, his love of pugilism will be rewarded by the New York organization.

This weekend’s Hall of Fame honor is one the loyal East Coast vet takes immense pride in. As his trademark voice booms from the mic, the boxing icon will take his place among the immortals. This will be a real celebration for Harold, who will be joined by many family members and friends flying in to witness his induction. He is a friend to almost everyone connected in the sport, from casual fans he greets at fights to the elite champions he’s watched in the ring, from the stream of countless cornermen, journalists, network execs–and everyone else in between. So well-liked is the down-to-earth Lederman that guests will be coming in not only from his native New York, but also traveling from Texas, Georgia, Florida, California and more.

And the “unofficial” ringside scorer never been one to hold back an opinion, share an outburst of his trademark laughter along with that broad grin of his, while expressing his gratitude for the boxing fraternity that embraces him. I’ve known him for years and he is always a fun one to visit with.

During our lively discussion, the new NYSHOF inductee talks about the James Kirkland-Carlos Molina controversy, opens up about his ongoing battle against cancer, and voices his thoughts on when and if Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will ever lace up. He also shows a more vulnerable side as he addresses his recent health scares. Plus, hear the gauntlet Harold throws down to Floyd Mayweather to come fight in New York–and so much more!

Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Harold Lederman.

Michele Chong: Hi Harold, congratulations on your New York State Boxing Hall of Fame induction! What does this newest honor mean to you?

Harold Lederman: Oh to be inducted among this GREAT group from New York, with Sugar Ray Robinson and Benny Leonard and some of the greatest fighters that ever lived, Emile Griffith, Vito Antuofermo, Riddick Bowe and Carmen Basilio, Carlos Ortiz, Jake LaMotta, Mike Tyson, Mike McCallum, it’s just an incredible group to be associated with! It’s sensational. This is a group like no other and to be included is such an honor.

MC: So do you have your speech ready? And if yes, who will you thank first?

HL: (Laughs) I got a million people to thank…and NO, I don’t have a speech ready! (Laughs) I think I’m gonna wing it, I guess. I can’t stand up there forever, there’s a lot of inductees. I hate to take up too much time.

MC: Your wife Eileen, daughters Julie and Iris, and your grandchildren will all be there?

HL: Yes, they’ll all be there. I have three grandchildren Ben, Sarah and Amanda and everybody’s coming. It’s going to be exciting; my sister’s coming too!

MC: You have a full schedule coming up with your April 1 induction and a slew of HBO fights scheduled too.

HL: I will working the Hopkins-Dawson fight, Mayweather-Cotto, Khan-Peterson and Pacquiao-Bradley. The Brandon Rios HBO fight with Gamboa’s not happening so I won’t be there since it’s not an HBO broadcast anymore.

MC: I gotta ask you about Saturday night’s Kirkland-Molina controversy. You were very vocal about this. Do you still feel the same way that you did that night?

HL: Of course, that was an absolutely terrible stoppage! The referee is under no mandate to stop the fight, he “can” stop the fight but he didn’t have to. If a cornerman comes into the ring, he has the right to stop the fight, but he didn’t have to. There was no absolute necessity to stop the fight. Carlos Molina’s second came into the ring but the inspectors didn’t stop them. (Referee) Schorle told him to get out, there was no damage whatsoever and the next thing you know he’s running over to the commission telling them he’s gonna disqualify Carlos Molina–who was winning the fight from here to tomorrow! What a TERRIBLE stoppage and that’s all there is to it. There was no reason for the stoppage. They took away a big upset win from a kid who really and deserved that win and I’m sure Kirkland didn’t want it to end that way either. He thought he could get to Molina in the 11th or 12th round and knock him out but I don’t think so…I think Molina just had his number that night. Certainly, it was a very bad call, a very bad call!

MC: Harold, why do you think there is so much controversy in the sport?

HL: Well, you know if they keep on doing stuff like that there’s gonna be controversy ’cause people don’t want to see fights end that way. Let the fighters fight, not have the referee decide who wins and loses! Nobody pays to see that. These controversies are really a big knock on boxing. It’s gonna be hard to get fans to watch boxing if this continues. As far as decision go, I’ve always said that commissions have to be very, very careful who they appoint in high profile fights. Schorle could’ve deducted a point; he didn’t have to disqualify him.

MC: You’ve seen so much in your own career. What do you attribute your success and longevity to? You’re known as one of the “good guys” in boxing circles. You even got a “Good Guy” award, right? (Laughs)

HL: (Laughs) I did get a BWAA “Good Guy” award. Michele, you know I just have a passion for boxing. I guess I’m like you in that respect–I’ll go to any kind of a fight! If there’s a fight that night, I’ll be there, no matter if it’s an HBO fight or not. I’ll always lived that way. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware or Connecticut–I’ll go! It’s a passion for the game and you get to know everybody. The more you go, the more you appreciate boxing and its people. It’s a big part of my life, my passion.

MC: Now you’ve passed that passion on to your beautiful daughter, Julie Lederman, who is a successful boxing judge in her own right. How proud are you of Julie and her career?

HL: (Laughs) Very proud! And she also has another occupation; she has a good job working for the largest publication in the world. She’s worked for the WBA and the WBO, but she’s always been with the WBC. She likes Jose and Mauricio Sulaiman very much. She’s very happy working and traveling with the WBC and she’s been to the WBC and NABF conventions too; I’m very proud of her!

MC: Do you still keep your “other” day job as a pharmacist?

HL: I did until September 2011; that was when I got diagnosed with prostate cancer, unfortunately, and this heart disease called cardiomyopathy. I had to take radiation for the prostate cancer and had to go five days a week till the end of December so that didn’t leave much time to go to the drugstore to stand 14 hours on your feet. So I left Duane Reade and took a medical leave to try and cure the cardiomyopathy and prostate cancer. I think about going back…but on the other hand sometimes I say to myself, “I’ve reached the age where it’s time to retire from the pharmacy.” I had been there for well over 50 years. Everyone retires at 60 or 65; I’m well beyond that and I’m still working! (Laughs)

MC: What is the latest diagnosis with your treatment and how are you feeling?

HL: I feel “so-so.” I don’t feel 100% great. I worry about it a lot, to tell you the truth. (Pauses) It’s always in the back of my mind, especially with a heart problem. As far as the prostate cancer goes, the urologist keeps saying it’s going as well as expected. But I really don’t know if I’ll ever be completely free of the cancer…in the meantime, I just keep going to my appointments so I guess you could say I’m doing okay!

MC: You lost a lot of weight in the process too…

HL: Yeah, I had to ’cause of the cardiomyopathy and also diabetes.

MC: Well I know you’ll keep fighting. Now in switching gears, let’s talk about your other passion in the sports world. I know you’re a longtime New York Jets season ticket holder. You guys have Mark Sanchez AND Tim Tebow now!

HL: (Laughs) YES, we have “TEBOW MANIA” here! It’s like “Linsanity”…We have “Tebow Mania” and I’m looking forward to seeing the Wildcat offense and seeing both of them in the game. This season might be one of the most exciting since Joe Willie Namath, and there was nothing more exciting than that! (Owner) Woody Johnson said Mark Sanchez is still the #1 quarterback, but I’m anxious to see what Tebow will do. He’s a big guy and a very strong runner; he adds another dimension to the game. I’m an original season ticket holder, going back probably 45 years and I think this could be a very exciting season for the NY Jets.

MC: You’re a true New Yorker, I have to ask you: Do you think Gleason’s Gym is the BEST gym and Madison Square Garden the BEST arena in boxing ever?

HL: I’m a born and bred New Yorker and now I’m going into the NY Hall of Fame. In my mind, NY is THE best place for boxing; Madison Square Garden is the most exciting arena in boxing. And Gleason’s is the best place to train–although the Wild Card gets more publicity! (Laughs) Certainly, all the great fighters have fought at the Garden. AND if Floyd Mayweather wants to consider himself one of the greatest fighters ever, he better fight in New York one of these days, to cement his legacy. There’s no place like MSG for boxing, it is the greatest place in the world to watch boxing! It’s a totally different atmosphere than at the casinos, you get people coming off the subway.

MC: What do you think about the Mayweather-Cotto matchup? As a judge, what can you share with us?

HL: Because I have to keep score, I can’t pick a winner. But it’s gonna be great! Miguel Cotto, fans love him in New York. He’s got that ambitious left hook to the body and he can punch. Floyd certainly has the skills that makes him the greatest boxer today; he’s fast, he can punch. Every time he steps in the ring he looks great, against Juan Manuel Marquez and Victor Ortiz. Other than the fight with Jose Luis Castillo, he looks invincible. But he still has to be very careful going in with a dangerous guy like Miguel Cotto.

MC: Do you think Mayweather will ever fight Pacquiao? I’m almost sick of that question, to be honest. (Laughs)

HL: (Laughs) To tell you the truth, I honestly believe that if Manny gets by a really tough Timothy Bradley, and Floyd gets by Miguel Cotto on May 5, they are a step closer for their fight to happen this coming fall. I just feel that after Mayweather goes to jail for the 90 days or what have you, then it becomes a viable fight, a doable fight. But boy, Bradley is tough–an Evander Holyfield-type fighter who leans in with his head. But if both get by their fighters, everyone will be screaming for them to fight but first we have to see what happens in May and June.

MC: Thanks again, Harold, I could talk to you about boxing for days! Congrats again on your induction this weekend.

HL: (Laughs) Thanks, Michele!

After a half hour of chatting with Harold, we had barely touched the surface of myriad topics in boxing. His enthusiasm is endless for the sport he truly loves–his ultimate passion.

As his New York induction day nears, so many in the boxing community will come out to applaud this man who has dedicated decades in the sport.

A fellow judge, Max De Luca, will be traveling from Southern California to take in the proceedings. The 2010-2011 WBC Judge of the Year has known Harold for a couple of years now. He’s gotten close to the Lederman family through Harold’s daughter, Julie. “Watching Harold as a boxing judge on HBO (before I met him), he was very instrumental to me as a young apprentice judge because I would compare my scores to his. And I still do that!” De Luca tells me with a chuckle. “Getting to know him as a person, I know he’s a wonderful person too. We talk a lot about boxing; we talk about sports, that’s what we have in common!”

“This is a well-deserved award for Harold,” Max adds. “When you think of all the great boxing personalities coming out of the great state of New York, Harold is definitely is one of them!”

The greats will definitely be out in force this Sunday at Russo’s On The Bay.

The “Chatter Box” congratulates Harold and ALL of the 2012 Inductees in both the boxer and non-participant categories (including posthumous): Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Mike Tyson, Carmen Basilio, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, Mike McCallum, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.

Photo courtesy of Stacey Verbeek