INTERVIEW WITH HAROLD
LEDERMAN
Photo © Carlos Kalinchuk
By Jim Amato
08.09 - What would an HBO boxing telecast be like without
the voice and input of guest judge Harold Lederman?
Harold has become a mainstay with the popular HBO broadcast
team. He lends an opinionated yet objective view from
an expert and an astute observer. Like a good umpire
he "calls them as he sees them." No hold barred.
The voice that you hear has been judging boxing matches
for close to forty years! Believe me, he knows what
he is talking about.
When I called Harold to conduct this interview, I quickly
learned that he was a man who had a true passion for
the sport. It wasn't just a job to him. He was a fan
first and foremost. That is what led him into judging.
He was still a fan but now he has just had a better
seat. He has come up through the ranks and paid his
dues from the four and six rounder in small clubs to
the main events in major venues. If he hasn't seen it
yet, it's doubtful that it is going to happen. Yet Harold
seem to approach every fight with a fresh outlook. It
has given him a chance to travel and meet some of the
most influential people in boxing.
In the whole time I talked with Harold he did not utter
a negative word about anyone as a person. He is a true
ambassador for the sport. Harold was born on January
26, 1940 in the Bronx where he was raised. Among his
childhood friends were Vinnie Rinnone, Joe Santarpis,
and Tony Perez. All three along with Harold are highly
respected in the boxing community. Harold had nothing
but immense praise for his long time buddies. You could
hear the pride in Harold's voice when he spoke of his
wife Eileen and their daughters Julie and Iris. Success
has not gone to Harold's head. He's your everyday boxing
fan who just accepts that fate has handed him one hell
of a great job!
When did you start judging boxing matches?
HL-Around 1965, amateur fights. I loved boxing. Before
judging I went to as many fights as I could.
When did you start judging pro bouts?
HL-Around 1967.
Did you ever box?
HL-No, just a few street scraps as a kid.
Did you ever work as a referee?
HL-Never really had the interest.
What was the first major fight you judged?
HL-The rematch between Ken Buchanan and Ismael Laguna.
Laguna's manager Cain Young objected everybody. I found
out at the last minute that I was judging the match.
The decision of the New Jersey commission to only
let New Jersey residents work as officials took a lot
of work away. What was your take on that?
HL-I was not happy about it. I didn't understand the
reasoning. I can live in New York and be a pharmacist
in New Jersey but not a boxing judge? It didn't make
sense to me. It was political so there was not a whole
lot I could do about it. I just accepted it and moved
on.
How did you hook up with HBO?
HL-I was friendly with Ross Greenberg who was in charge
of boxing at HBO. I had watched a fight on HBO one night
and to be honest with you, the announcers must have
been watching a different fight then I was. I just thought
looking at it from a judge's point of view that they
were missing a lot of things going on.
I conveyed this to Ross and he said he'd think about
it. I had really forgotten all about it but later he
called and invited me to a guest judge at an upcoming
fight. I think it took me about three seconds to say
yes!
What was your first main event on HBO?
HL-Plinkton Thomas vs. Trevor Berbick, March 22, 1986.
Thomas was a huge favorite and I told Eileen, watch
Thomas will take out Berbick early. Then no one would
hear too much between rounds from me and my chance at
HBO would possibly come to an end. Well Berbick had
Eddie Futch in his corner and Eddie mapped out a great
fight plan and got Berbick to follow it. As the rounds
progressed I was able to show my card with Berbick in
the process of an upset. In the end I had Berbick winning
and he did. He won the title in an upset and my tenure
at HBO was on its way.
What was your favorite fight?
HL-The best fight I ever saw was Wilfredo Gomez-Lupe
Pintor in New Orleans. I was a judge for that.
Who was your favorite fighter?
HL-Bad Bennie Briscoe. Hagler-Briscoe was one of my
favorite fights. I had nothing to do with it. I was
just there to watch.
What were some of the best fights you worked for
HBO?
HL-Hagler-Leonard, the Bowe-Holyfield trilogy, Lewis-Tyson,
Lewis-Mercer, Roy Jones-James Toney, Danny Romero-Johnny
Tapia, Barrera-Kennedy McKinney, both Ward-Gatti fights,
Ward-Shea Neary, Foreman-Moorer, Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Diego
Corrales, and Hopkins-Trinidad.
Your daughter Julie is now a boxing judge. How did
that come about?
HL-Julie was a very shy girl but I took her to a lot
of fight shows with me. She got to meet many boxers
and watched a lot of fights. She really began to understand
the sport and she has become a very capable judge. She
is a WBC judge and very resected. She was recently a
judge at a very high profile
boxing card in Japan. A very important assignment for
her.
Who are some of your favorite referees?
HL-Larry Rozadilla comes to mind and Arthur Mercante
Sr. My friend Tony Perez has been involved in several
major fights. Larry Hazzard was a great one. Chuck Hassett,
Lou Fillipo and Joe Cortez.
You mentioned to me that you judged a major bout
in my hometown of Cleveland. Do you remember who fought?
HL-It was Michael Moorer and Ramzi Hassan for the vacant
W.B.O. light heavyweight title. That day Michael Moorer
was a truly awesome fighter!
I have given you a list of fourteen names and asked
you to just make a short comment to describe them. What
were your comments?
HL-OK, here goes:
" Muhammad Ali-"The Greatest."
" Mike Tyson-"The Badest Man on The Planet"
" Jim Lampley-"Boxings Greatest Commentator."
" Larry Merchant-"A Great Analyst."
" Emmanuel Steward-"Blackie Bimstein."
" Chris Byrd-"He can do more with what he
has then anyone who has ever lived."
" Don King-"Boxing's Greatest Promoter."
" Bob Arum-"Boxing's Most Brilliant Promoter."
" Oscar DeLaHoya-"I wish I was him."
" George Foreman-"The only man I know with
two great lives ten years apart."
" Roy Jones, Jr.-"Boxing's Number One Pound
For Pound."
" Evander Holyfield-"The Consummate Warrior."
" Riddick Bowe-"I was so proud to call him
my friend."
" Sugar Ray Leonard-"He drank from the fountain
of eternal youth."
Harold, thank you so much for your time.
HL-Jim, you are very welcome.
In closing I would just like to say that talking to
Harold Lederman was as easy as discussing boxing with
someone at a neighborhood tavern. It was truly my pleasure
to have this conversation with him.
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