Harmon, Willie

Harmon was a top welterweight contender in the 1920s, and received a title shot in June 1926 against champ Pete Latzo. The fight took place in Harmon's hometown of Newark and the crowd was obviously behind the challenger. Their encouragement caused Harmon to come out aggressively as he threw both right and left uppercuts at the champ and won the first two-rounds (he drew blood with a left in the second). The third-round was even, but Harmon tired considerably and Latzo pressed him to win the fourth-round. Outweighed by eight pounds, Harmon was crowded by Latzo in the fifth and sustained a steady pounding throughout the round. Then, with only ten seconds left before the bell, Latzo landed a right that knocked Harmon out (it was the first time he had been knocked out in his career). Willie was knocked senseless for three minutes and tried to return to the fight when he woke up, unaware that the bout had ended. It was the only title shot of his career.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
Harmon began his professional career in the late 1910s and in 1923, he knocked out Cowboy Williams in the seventh-round. The following year, he faced better competition and fought future welterweight champion Pete Latzo; the bout ended in a 12-round no decision. 1925 was a busy year for Harmon as he lost a rematch to Latzo in a 10-round decision, defeated future contender Sammy Baker, and fought junior-welterweight champ Pinky Mitchell twice (both were non-title fights and ended in no decisions).

In June 1926, Harmon received his one and only title shot when he faced Latzo for a third time. The previous month, Harmon lost to future world champ Joe Dundee in a 10-round decision, but Latzo decided to give Harmon the title shot instead of Dundee. The decision proved wise as Harmon was knocked out in the fifth-round by Latzo (Dundee took the title from Latzo one year later). Harmon did not fight for the title again and retired in the late 1920s (his exact career dates are unknown, but he fought twice in 1928).

Origin:
Newark, New Jersey

Physical description:
145 pounds

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 50 (24 by knockout)
Losses: 15
Draws: 6
No decisions: 15

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