Harry Stone | |
|---|---|
_2.jpg) Harry Stone in 1910 | |
| Born | Harry Seifstein March 4, 1889 |
| Died | December 13, 1950 (aged 61) Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | United States |
| Other names | Hop Harry |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Lightweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7.5 in (171 cm) |
| Reach | 69.5 in (177 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 150 |
| Wins | 82 |
| Wins by KO | 17 |
| Losses | 42 |
| Draws | 18 |
| No contests | 3 |
Harry Stone (March 4, 1889 – December 13, 1950), born Harry Seifstein and nicknamed Hop Harry Stone, was an American boxer who competed primarily in Australia. He is one of only two boxers who are recognized to have fought over 200 bouts and never been knocked out or stopped, along with Benny Valgar.[1] He was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013 as an honorary international for making a major contribution to Australian boxing.[2]
Stone fought primarily in the lightweight class, but also competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. He briefly held the Australian lightweight title as well as the Australian welterweight title. He amassed over 500 bouts throughout his career, and claimed to have never been knocked out or knocked down in any of them.[3][4]
Early life and background
editStone was born Harry Seifstein to Jewish parents in New York City. He grew up in the Bowery and his family was living in poverty during his youth.[5][6] In need of money, Stone began working as a newspaper boy in the Tenderloin district at a young age.[7]
Professional career
editStone won the Australian welterweight title in 1920 against Fred Kay.[8]
Stone won the Australian lightweight title in 1921 against Welshman Llew Edwards. He lost the title later that year against Sid Godfrey.[3]
Stone's nickname of "Hop Harry" originated from a fight against Tommy Uren in which he employed a hopping motion that resemble the movement of a kangaroo. He would become known for using this technique in his subsequent fights.[7]
Personal life
edit
Stone fought in World War I, and was falsely reported dead during the war.[5]
Stone had two sons, including an elder son named Max who had a career as an amateur boxer.[5][9] His son was in consideration to represent Australian boxing at the 1936 Summer Olympics, but was not selected.[10]
References
edit- ^ Silver, Mike (Mar 4, 2016). Stars in the Ring: Jewish Champions in the Golden Age of Boxing: A Photographic History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 346. ISBN 9781630761400.
- ^ "Honorary Internationals". Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ a b "Famous boxer dies in Sydney; Hop Harry Stone Idol". Barrier Miner. December 14, 1950. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Stone, Harry (February 12, 1938). "The Freak of the Ring". The Mail. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Mathers, Jim (August 19, 1951). "The boxer who learned from the kangaroo". Truth. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Rohan, J. M. (March 13, 1938). "Harry Stone declared he watched "Kanga" and learnt to hop". The Sunday Mail. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ a b Straight Left (February 1, 1945). ""Hop" Harry Stone was Freak Fighter". The Evening Advocate. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Stone outpoints Kay". The Truth. July 31, 1920. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Balfe, H. O. (September 5, 1935). "A Chip off the Old Stone". The Referee. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Competitors for Berlin Games". The Age. October 7, 1935. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
External links
edit- Boxing record for Sportsfan77777/sandbox/Harry Stone from BoxRec (registration required)