Inducted on November 9, 1990
Harold was born on May 23, 1934 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
He lived most of his life in Linden and as a young teenager
he started his outstanding amateur career, winning over a dozen titles, including the National 175Ib. Golden Glove
Crown before turning Pro in 1953. By the beginning of 1957 Harold worked his way up to the number three heavyweight contender in the world beating such outstanding boxers as Wayne Bethea, Julio Mederos, Bob Baker, Johnny Summerlin, Willi Besmanoff, Young Jack Johnson and Joe Lindsay. He has knocked out such greats as Bob Satterfield, kayoed Joey Rowan and Ike Thomas.
No one really knows how great Harold would have been if his career wasn’t interrupted by the United States Army.
We are very sorry that Harold isn’t alive today to accept his induction. But his family, his friends and the members of The Hall of Fame are very proud tonight to induct Harold Carter into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.
Manager: Gene Holmes (1956)
Harold Carter was born in Elizabeth, NJ, the third of six children. His mother died when his youngest sister was born and the job of raising the family fell to his father who owned a restaurant in Linden, NJ, where Harold helped out when he wasn’t busy with his studies and boxing training.
A husky 170 pounder when he first took up boxing at 14, he liked to watch all sports, but boxing was his true love. Under the tutelage of Gene Holmes, Harold entered the amateur ranks at 16. He won the Newark Golden Glove novice 175 pound title in 1951. In 1952 he won the Golden Glove open title, the New Jersey AAU crown, and was defeated in the finals of the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions by Floyd Patterson. Patterson stopped Carter at 2:36 of the first round. Patterson dropped Carter with a left hook prior to the stoppage. In 1953 Carter repeated as Newark and New Jersey champion and went on to win the New York Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions vs. Eddie Vicks and the Intercity Golden Gloves’ light heavyweight championship by stopping Calvin Butler at 2:59 of the second round. His over-all simon-pure record was 28 wins in 30 bouts, 24 by knockouts.
In his pro debut, Carter whipped tough Joey Rowan, scoring two knock-downs. A strong willing fighter who punched hard and fast with either hand, he was picked as Prospect of the month by The Ring in the March 1954 issue. His manager was radio emcee Vic Marsillo.
The Ring, August 1954, edited by Palais
The Ring, August 1955 reported that Carter was 19 years of age in his fight against Wayne Bethea, which should put forward his birth year to 1936.
The 1960 Ring Record Book, page 536 states that Harold was born In Elizabeth, NJ on March 23, 1934.
Interview with coach Don Givens of Linden on the website of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame indicates that Carter is deceased.
Boxing Record: click