Harold Lederman facts for kids
Harold Lederman (born January 26, 1940 – died May 11, 2019) was a well-known American boxing judge and TV commentator. He started his career as a boxing judge in 1967. Later, in 1986, he joined the famous TV show HBO World Championship Boxing. He stayed with HBO until they stopped showing boxing in 2018. Harold Lederman was honored for his work by being added to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 79.
Harold Lederman's Career in Boxing
Harold Lederman went to Columbia University. After finishing college, he got a special license in New York to judge important boxing matches. This happened on June 26, 1967. He judged more than 100 championship fights all around the world. While doing this, he also worked at his pharmacy in New York.
In 1986, a producer from HBO, Ross Greenburg, asked Harold to join their boxing show. He became an "expert commentator" for HBO World Championship Boxing.
His Role at HBO
Harold Lederman stopped being an official judge in 1999. However, he continued to work for HBO's boxing show as an "unofficial ringside scorer." You could often hear his voice when the main HBO commentator, Jim Lampley, would introduce him. Harold would then explain the rules of the fight to the audience. He often started by saying, "Ok, Jim..."
During the boxing matches, after the 3rd, 6th, and 9th rounds, and right after the fight ended, Jim Lampley would ask Harold for his scores. Harold would share his unofficial scorecard with the fans. This was often called the "Lederman card." HBO also showed a graphic at the start of each round with his score from the round before.
Family Life
Harold Lederman was married and had two daughters. His family lived in Orangeburg, New York. One of his daughters, Julie Lederman, followed in her father's footsteps. She also became a ringside boxing judge. When Harold was not working as a commentator, he often gave interviews to boxing reporters.
Awards and Honors
Harold Lederman received several important awards and honors for his contributions to boxing:
- 2016: He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
- 1997: He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
- He was also inducted into the Rockland County, New York Sports Hall of Fame.
- He received the Marvin Goldberg Award from the Bna'i Br'ith Max Kase Sports Lodge for his great work in boxing.
- 2006: He won the "Good Guy Award" from the Boxing Writers Association of America.
