Harold Johnson, 86, former light heavyweight boxing champ.

BACK IN the glory days of Philadelphia boxing, Harold Johnson took some of the best to school over his 25-year career.

Call it the "school of hard knocks," because the school we are talking about is held in the squared circle of the boxing ring, and the fighters thus educated by stylish fighter Harold Johnson were among the best ever to step through the ropes in an era spanning the '40s, '50s and '60s.

"There were a lot more really good fighters in his era," said Bernard Fernandez, retired Daily News boxing writer. "Look at some of the guys - Archie Moore, Doug Jones, Eddie Mason, Von Clay, Ezzard Charles, Jimmy Bevins.

"Harold competed in an era when there were many great light-heavyweights. Go down the list - some of the best Philadelphia fighters ever."

Harold Johnson, who held the world light-heavyweight championship from 1962 to 1963, whose long boxing career extended into his 40s, a Navy veteran and devoted family man, died of pneumonia Thursday. He was 86.

When Harold lost his light-heavyweight title to Willie Pastrano in a 15-round battle in June 1963 in Las Vegas, Philadelphia boxing promoter J. Russell Peltz called it "one of the worst decisions in boxing history."

Harold was known as a boxing stylist, but that he could punch was obvious from the 32 fights he won by knockout. Of his 88 fights, he won 76.

"He was a smart fighter," Fernandez said. "He did not take a lot of punishment."

For Harold Johnson, boxing was a family affair. His father, Phil Johnson, was a professional fighter, and his son, the Rev. John H. Roberts Sr., was a Golden Gloves champion who fought under the name Chuck Johnson.

Both Phil Johnson and Harold Johnson lost to heavyweight champ Jersey Joe Walcott in 1936 and 1950.

"I had a bout in New Jersey once and Jersey Joe was the referee," Roberts said. "I said to him, 'Are you going to hurt me the way you hurt my father and grandfather?' He got a big kick out of that."

Harold Johnson was born in Manayunk and started boxing in the Navy. He turned pro in 1946.

He won his first 24 bouts before going up against his archrival, Archie Moore, who stopped Harold in a 10-round decision in 1949. Harold went on to meet Moore three more times between September 1951 and January 1954.

Their last bout was in August 1954 when Moore was the light heavyweight champ. Harold knocked Moore down in the 10th and was ahead on two judges' scorecards, but Moore rallied and stopped Harold with a 14th-round TKO.

The National Boxing Association withdrew recognition of Moore as world light-heavyweight champion for failure to defend. He had moved on to the heavyweight ranks.

Harold Johnson took that vacant title in 1961 by defeating Jesse Bowdry by a ninth-round TKO, then became universally recognized champ the following year.

Among notable victories was his 1953 defeat of former heavyweight champ Ezzard Charles. In June 1962, he traveled to Berlin, Germany, to take on Gustav Scholz, who had lost only one out of 92 bouts. Harold beat him in a 15-round decision.

"He was my hero," said Harold's son, John Roberts. "I used to spar with him. I'd leave the gym with two black eyes, but I didn't mind."

Harold also sparred with Joe Frazier - "He took Frazier to school," said his son - and Muhammad Ali, who left their session complaining about a sore jaw.

"He was very mild-mannered," said his son, pastor of the Garden of Prayer World's Prayer Center. "He let his fists do his talking for him."

Russell Peltz said Harold was a boyhood hero of his, and in later years, they became close friends.

"My friends would dream about being Mickey Mantle or Tommy McDonald or Wilt Chamberlain, but for me, Harold Johnson was the bomb," Peltz said.

"He was a true gentleman," Bernard Fernandez said. "He didn't trash talk. Nobody ever heard him curse."

After he quit boxing at age 44, Harold worked for a time in construction. He also played the drums for amusement.

Harold Johnson was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992 and the International Hall of Fame in 1993.

Besides his son, he is survived by two daughters, Deborah Downey and Renee White, and a host of grandchildren.

Services: Were being arranged.