Looking Back - Harold Brazier

It is hard to believe that it was 21 years ago that former world title challenger Harold Brazier had his last bout. He left the sport with an incredible record: 105-18-1 (with 65 KOs, 3 NC).  

Brazier was an excellent boxer, with power, who was calm and calculating in the ring. The list of world champions he fought in his career is staggering! He faced Vince Phillips, Juan Martin Coggi, Livingstone Bramble, Meldrick Taylor, Pernell Whitaker, Roger Mayweather, Brian Baronet, and Lloyd Honeyghan, among others. 

A popular TV staple who could go rounds with anyone in the world, Brazier was a smart boxer who was very cerebral in the ring, planning and picking his shots for maximum leverage against his opponents.  

For a guy with limited amateur experience, who turned pro to learn his craft on the job, he developed from an inexperienced novice to a world-class fighter through sheer determination and hard work.  In one of his 3 world title shots, against Roger Mayweather, an argument could be made that he did enough to beat one of the famous Mayweather clan and could have left the ring a world champion.  

What was most appealing about Brazier was the professional attitude he brought to training and fighting. He held a full-time job in car sales throughout his entire career. He never complained or blamed anyone after a loss - he just returned to the gym and looked to get better.  

In a past interview, he said, “I always worked full-time and took care of my family first. Then I trained on the side when I could”. Anything he did, he did to the best of his ability and gave everything he had to get better.

And get better he did! 

Every time he stepped into the ring, he represented his hometown of South Bend, Indiana, with class and dignity.  

An excellent boxer-puncher, Brazier also logged wins against many great fighters like Micky Ward, John Wesley Meekins, Brian Baronet, and Robin Blake, to name a few.  

Boxing also took Harold around the world.  Brazier fought all over the United States as well as Canada, South Africa, Italy, Great Britain, and Argentina. As a career-long manager, Pete Susens has always said, “Harold saw the world on boxing’s dime; how great is that?”.  

Doing a TV special on Brazier, Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein once said, “Harold never won a world title but he is indeed a champion”.  

Brazier, A long-married father and grandfather, still lives in South Bend, Indiana, where he, deservedly, was honored with a street named after him.   

“The impact a guy like Brazier will have on all the people he has known in this sport will have an impact for a long period of time”, said Bernstein.  

Outstanding career, Harold. Thanks for so many great nights under the lights.