Naming the newly renovated boxing gym at the Kendrick Recreation Center the "Harold Johnson Memorial Boxing Gym" in honor of the International Boxing Hall of Fame legend who formerly resided in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Harold Johnson stands as one of the most accomplished athletes Philadelphia has produced, turning pro at the age of seventeen and retiring with a record of 76 wins and only 11 losses; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson’s career spanned four decades, including two years as the light heavyweight champion of the world; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson began his boxing career in the Navy as an underage enlistee, graduated to professional matches in 1946, and defeated some of the best fighters of his era; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson gained repute for his his superb fighting technique, eliciting praise for his crisp, clean punches, textbook high guard, picture-perfect stance, beautiful proportions, and strategic patience; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson notably defeated former heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles in 1953, and Gustav Scholz in 1962, who had lost only one match prior to fighting Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson was born August 9, 1927 in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Manayunk, and lived most of his life in that area; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson comes from a family of boxers, including his father, Phil Johnson, and his son, who fought under the name Chuck Johnson and became a Golden Gloves champion; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Johnson passed away February 19, 2015, it is fitting to memorialize his accomplishments to the Philadelphia boxing culture and community with a boxing facility honoring his name and career at the Kendrick Recreation Center which is located in Mr. Johnson’s neighborhood of Manayunk; and

WHEREAS, The recreation center was built in 1927, and is the second oldest recreation center in the City. In 2013, the center was renovated into a spacious, modern facility featuring a new ring fitted with mats, mirrors, and modern ventilation system; and

WHEREAS, The Kendrick Recreation Center now houses two local boxing programs--the Manayunk Boxing Club, and the Harold Johnson Boxing Club and has supported hundreds of young Philadelphians in practicing the sport of boxing; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the newly renovated boxing gym at Kendrick Recreation Center shall be renamed the “Harold Johnson Memorial Boxing Gym” in honor of the International Boxing Hall of Fame legend who formerly resided in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of boxing legend Harold Johnson as evidence of the sincere respect and appreciation of this legislative body.

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