Out of all the boxers I researched, a few became favorites, even though they were long before my time. One such boxer was the New York born "Hop" Harry Stone, who as a lad, used to sell newspapers at the Bronx Zoo.Harry Stone was both skillful and flamboyant - and a hard worker. He was credited with having over 500 fights, which even in those days was a remarkable achievement.
Sadly many of my notes and photocopies have deteriorated over the years - many photocopies were not all that brilliant to begin with!
The photo is a report of Harry's death, published in The Cairns Post, 14 December 1950 - courtesy National Library of Australia. Click on the photo to enlarge.
The article is hard to read, but below is an electronic attempt at translation
SYDNEY, Dec. 12.-"Hop" Harry Stone, one of the most colorful figures in Australian boxing in the 20's, died in Sydney to-day, aged 57.
A former Australian lightweight boxing champion, "Hop" Harry was the idol of Australia's boxing crowds many years ago, both in Sydney and Melbourne.
A native of America, he had lived in Australia for many years. In re- cent years he had lived at Marrickville, where he had a business.
His ring record showed more than 500 fights. He was never knocked out and never lost a fight on a foul. He numbered welterweights, middleweights and heavyweights among his opponents, although his greatest success was in the light- weight class.
He took the Australian title in 1920 from Llew Edwards, an Englishman, and lost it the following year to Sid Godfrey
Copyright Mike Hitchen, Lane Cove, NSW, Australia. All rights reserved
