Joe Harris (boxer)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Gypsy" Joe Harris (born December 1, 1945 in Camden, New Jersey , † March 6, 1990 in Philadelphia ) was an American boxer .

Harris grew up in northern Philadelphia. He lost his right eye in an argument on the street at the age of eleven, but decided to pursue a career in boxing. His trainer was Willie Reddish. Harris was agile and quick-footed. Between 1964 and 1968 he had a total of 25 welterweight fights, of which he won 24, including 8 by knockout .

Harris lost for the first time in a bout on August 6, 1968 against Emile Griffith on points. After that Harris got into trouble with his managers Herman Taylor and Yank Durham. Against the boxer Manny Gonzalez there should be a comeback. During a routine investigation by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission on October 11, 1968, the well-known fact - that Harris only sees in one eye - was established and his boxing license revoked, so that his boxing career ended at the age of 23.

Harris went against his license withdrawal for several years without success. He got by with odd jobs and was occasionally without an apartment; he became an alcoholic and took cocaine. He eventually suffered four heart attacks within two years and died in Temple University Hospital at the age of 44.

swell

  1. ↑ Gypsy Joe Harris, 44; Boxer blind in an eye. In: New York Times , March 9, 1990 ( online )
  2. ↑ Box Rec: Gypsy Joe Harris
  3. ^ Greg Smith: Gypsy Joe Harris: Career (And Life) Interrupted. In: The Sweet Science ( online ( memento of the original from November 9, 2005 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this note. ) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.thesweetscience.com
  4. ^ Philadelphia Boxing History
personal data
SURNAME Harris, Joe
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Harris, Gypsy
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American boxer
DATE OF BIRTH December 1, 1945
PLACE OF BIRTH Camden , New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH March 6, 1990
Place of death Philadelphia