I.H. Sporty Harvey Biography

I.H. “Sporty” Harvey

boxing pioneer; was the first black boxer to oppose a white fighter in Texas; lost to Buddy Turman in a 10–round decision in 1955; Harvey sued the Texas state commissioner of labor statistics for permission to fight a white boxer and block a statute which prohibited interracial bouts; he won an appeal of his case in 1954; sparred with the likes of Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston during his career; of heart disease