James “Hard Rock” Green: One Hard Rock to Crack Remembered

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By Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy

In RSR’s latest installment of 1980s forgotten contenders, we now examine the career of Irvington, New Jersey’s James “Hard Rock” Green. This stout and explosive battler went pro in 1980 and was in and about the top ten in the 154lb weight class during the early part of that decade. He fought top contenders such as Teddy Mann, Robbie Sims, Ernie Singletary, David Braxton, Frank Fletcher, and Wilford Scypion, and battled (losing to) former world champions John David Jackson, Donald Curry, and John “The Beast” Mugabi.

The crowd pleasing Green’s 5’4 frame was probably more suited to the featherweight (126lb) class, but “Hard Rock” chose to go after naturally much bigger men in the 154 and 160lb divisions. Despite his stature, Green had a solid 69” reach, which mitigated some of his height disadvantage. Like a ball of nervous energy, Green was twitching to throw down. He was quick, explosive and not afraid to take it to his bigger opponents. Green sought to do damage up close, where his hand speed and leverage could be best used.

Green’s first fight of note was against Marvin Hagler’s half-brother Robbie Sims (who would later fight for the Middleweight title) in April of 1981. Green lost to Sims by decision in 8 rounds, but bounced back in a big way. James rattled off ten straight wins, defeating ranked contenders Wilford Scypion (who later went on to challenge Marvelous Marvin Hagler for the Middleweight title in 1983), Teddy Mann, and Ernie Singletary in 1983. This string of victories put Green in the top ten and solidified him as a legit contender for the 154lb title. After these high profile wins, Green then challenged Frank Fletcher for the USBA title later in 1982. He lost via TKO in 6. He recovered to win his next two bouts, but lost via decision in ten rounds to David “Machine Gun” Braxton in a bid for the NABF (a title that was often an invitation to later secure big money fights in that era) 154lb belt in September, 1983.

After his loss to Braxton, Green’s career as a contender was effectively over. James then became more of a gatekeeper and fought and lost to future champions Donald Curry and John Mugabi on their way up. Hard Rock retired in 1986, but made an ill-advised comeback eight years later in 1994. He fought six more fights, culminating in a NABF title shot versus Otis Grant, which he lost via TKO in 12 rounds. James “Hard Rock” Green finished his career in 1996 with a record of 22-10-2, 15 KO’s.

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