Unlike the thuggish, negative image that many boxers have contributed to their sports in recent decades, and indeed boxers and boxing unique in this as athletes of all sports tend to disgust me with their behavior, Harold Johnson was a dignified, classy, genuinely NICE man, much in the same manner as Floyd Patterson...a genuine sportsman.
I’ve been following boxing for a long time, but haven’t had the privilege of seeing him fight. I will look now for vintage clips, as he sounds like pure class. That you and others have think so highly of him is a great legacy.
Somewhat off topic, but in keeping with what you wrote, I am very sadly disappointed with many professional sports today, as too many athletes don’t even attempt to present a positive image of themselves and to be role models for youth. When Barkley said he wasn’t a role model, he was wrong.