Title
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.
Body
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...
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