Looking back: Eugene "Cyclone" Hart

He turned professional 53 years ago in 1969 and had his last pro bout 40 years ago this month in February of 1982. In his 13 years in the ring, Philadelphia’s Eugene “Cyclone” Hart would amass a 30-9-1 (28 KO’s) record, facing some of boxing’s best 160-pounders, in an outstanding era for middleweights in the sport.

Hart was born and raised in the “City of Brotherly Love”, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While never contesting for a world title, he would certainly face some great champions throughout his career. Except for a few trips to (nearby) locales like New York, New Jersey and Delaware, Hart would fight 37 of his 40 fights in his hometown, allowing him to build up a very supportive local following.

Turning pro in 1969, Hart would go undefeated in his first 21 bouts over two years. In that run, he would stop 20 of 21 opponents, only going the distance with world title challenger, and Utah legend, Don Fullmer. He also recorded a KO win over world title challenger, and fellow Philly fighter, Stanley Hayward.

In his 22nd fight, in September of 1971, he would face former world champion, and middleweight legend, Portland’s Denny Moyer. However, an ankle injury to Moyer resulted in a NC in 6 rounds.

Hart returned with a win in ’72 before dropping 2 bouts over the next year to rugged contenders Nate Collins of San Francisco and Puerto Rico’s Jose Gonzalez. Hart got back on the winning track to close out 1973, picking up 2 KO wins.

While having a rough time on the score sheet in 1974, in fairness, to say Hart was in tough, would be a huge understatement. He faced fellow Philly 160-pound spoilers Willie Monroe and Bobby Watts (who would both retire with wins over middleweight great Marvelous Marvin Hagler) in February and July. Then, a month later, he would square off with New York’s future world champion Eddie Mustafa Mohammed.

Hart would go 4-1 through 1975 including a win over Washington’s former Olympic Gold Medalist “Sugar” Ray Seales and a draw with legendary Philly tough guy Bennie Briscoe. He also picked up a win over rugged Mexican Chuco Garcia, who himself would record 61 KO’s in 95 career wins.

From 1976, until his last bout in 1982, Hart would fight 6 more times. And, like much of his career, he would face some great fighters. This included tough Texan, and world title challenger, Melvin Dennis, another bout with Briscoe, and bouts with future world champions, Italy’s (New York-residing) Vito Antuofermo and Brockton’s bad baldy Marvin Hagler.

Boxing out of a great fight town like Philadelphia, in a fantastic era of 1970’s middleweights, was no easy task.

In the end... clocking into work in legendary Philadelphia venues like The Spectrum and The Blue Horizon, 40 bouts, 30 wins, a vicious left hook that produced 28 KO’s, and a resume that boasted Bennie Briscoe, Sugar Ray Seales, Vito Antuofermo, Bobby Watts, Eddie Mustafa Mohammed, Willie Monroe and Marvelous Marvin Hagler - this is impressive to say the least.

Hart, and the great memories that he produced for Philly fight fans, both still reside in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

*Over the last 10 years, Eugene has enjoyed watching the pro career of his son Jesse Hart, who is a former super middleweight world title challenger and sports an impressive 28-3 (22 KO’s) record.