Harry Joe Yorgey Interview

photo by Mike McGuigan

If you like boxing but haven’t seen Harry Joe Yorgey (17 – 0 – 1 8ko’s) in action yet, I highly recommend that you scrape together $40, call Jimmy Deoria, reserve a ticket and take a ride out to Phoenixville. When the night is over you will consider it money well spent because The 29 year old Bridgeport native is the kind of fighter who leaves nothing in the dressing room. He can box, he likes to brawl, he gets hit, gives it right back and always gives the crowd a reason to be on their feet. He fought at the Wachovia Spectrum on November 2nd for the IBU Junior Middleweight title and received a highly disputed draw in a fight that many said was the best of the year and also one Harry clearly won. Yorgey stepped in again a few weeks later and blew to roof off of the Valley Forge Convention Center in his war against North Carolina’s Jeremy Yelton in a fight that topped his previous one and was hands down considered Philly fight of the Year. Don’t get it twisted, Yorgey is not just the run of the mill blood and guts club fighter, there are some big plans in the works for the rising Junior Middleweight prospect and many think he has what it takes to go a long way. While he is highly dedicated to his craft, he is also a family man and volunteer to the kids in his area. We recently caught up with Harry as he was finishing up at the Phoenixville PAL gym preparing for his fight Friday night against Minnesota tough James Wayka at Phoenixville High School.


Philly Keith Sports: You were in two wars within a few weeks of each other back in November, and then took a little time off. How are you feeling these days?

Harry Yorgey: Yeah I feel strong as hell right now and I am ready. We were taking time off because I wanted to give myself a rest, spend the holidays with my family, things like that. It’s not like I was out because of injury or anything. I was really active last year so we took a little break.

PK: What is your take on the Martinus Clay fight, on the war with Jeremy Yelton?

HY: In the Clay fight, the first 5- 6 rounds I won hands down. He started to press in the middle of fight a little bit, but mainly he was running a lot. Maybe that made it look like I was chasing him or something. The commissioner & guy from the IBU thought I won by a round or 2 at least. It ended as a draw even though I thought I clearly won. It took a little while to get over but oh well, I’m over it and moved on.

In the Yelton fight, everyone saw what happened; he was looking for a way out. He fought a lot of top guys like Paulie Maglinaggi and none of them could come close to what I was doing to him. I was kicking his ass. Then he caught me, call it a flash knockdown or whatever. I broke a blood vessel and was bleeding all over. It was not a broken nose. I was down but I got back up like warrior and kicked his ass again. I might have spilled the blood but I went to the after party and he left in an ambulance.

PK: Your next fight is in Phoenixville, really close to where you grew up. You have to be excited about that.

HY: Yeah there is going to be a lot of people there and I thank them all for spending good money to see me. My dad has been selling all kinds of tickets, it’s gonna be full of Yorgey fans.

PK: What do you know about your opponent James Wayka? What do you think the outcome is going to be?

HY: All I know he is 14 -5 with 8 knockouts and that’s about it. Oh and that he beat Frankie Toledo who is a fighter with 43 wins. I don’t like to make prediction or run around saying stuff like I’m gonna knock this guy out. I will tell you that I’m prepared to go in and win and I am not gonna let a guy like Wayka stop me from getting to the top.

PK: What is your goal as a boxer?

HY: It is definitely to be the best in the world, to be the champion. I want to conquer my dreams.

PK: How did you get into boxing?

HY: My father got me into it when I was 2 or 3years old actually. He said I ran around with my hands up all the time. Me and my dad would watch the fights that were on NBC back in the day. Then I was beating kids up around the neighborhood. I had my first amateur fight around 9 or 10 year old against a guy named Michael Brittonham who was an accomplished amateur at the time. He had on a robe and Everlast gear all over, all I had on was a pair on Jams but I did really well against him. I stayed into it until I was 14 then I stopped for a while. I got back into it when I was 19 and have kept with it ever since.

PK: Who does Team Yorgey consist of?

HY: My manager is Jimmy Deoria Jr, my trainers are John Mulvenna and Jimmy Deoria Sr, Don Elbaum is also helps out with the management. Willis Foreman aka Skeevey is the strength and conditioning coach and of course Mrs. Yorgey who keeps giving me them good meals.


PK: What is your training routine?

HY: I’m in the gym every night. I start with the jump rope for about 20 -25 min, then I start going rounds on heavy bag then the speed bag. Then I hit the mitts. Total it is over 20 rounds a night between it all. I do my Calisthenics, pushups, sit-ups, I run 3 ½ miles, putting in a lot of work. Every time I walk out of the gym I am 4 pounds lighter.

PK: Who are some of your favorite fighters of the past or present?

HY: Marvin Haggler is my all time favorite; I even named my puppy after him. I also love watching Arturo Gatti, Sugar Ray Leonard, I never missed a Meldrick Taylor fight, and I also really liked Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker too. I like technicians and guys who will make you miss. I loved Roy Jones too

PK: I hear that besides the boxing you also coach football and had a pretty good football career playing, any truth to that?

HY: I played defensive back for St. Franklin College which is a small school up in Pittsburgh. I screwed up as a kid in high school and had offers to some big name colleges. I had 28 TD’s as running back and 8 picks my senior year but I was young thought “yeah I am gonna just go play ball” and didn’t really do the academic part. Right now I help coach the Methacton Wolverines, my pop is head coach. I can step in and out when I need to. I love helping the kids, and the kids understand. This fight we are putting on will help the kids in the PAL. If kids wear jersey to fight they get ½ off of your ticket price.

PK: Your dad, Mr. Yorgey is a fan favorite too for his cheering. Does that give you an extra boost when you are in the ring?

HY: No man, I don’t hear him at all when I am in the ring. The only time I hear him on the films. I heard him yelling at a guy once as I was coming to the ring but that’s about it. When I am in the ring I don’t really hear anything.

PK: When a fighter steps in against Harry Yorgey, what is he in for?

HY: He is in for a night against a slick boxer with great D who can punch too, You are not gonna stop me, you’re going in against a tank. I’ve fought whole fights with broken jaw and won. Last fight I has blood flowing out of my nose. Most guys would have quit, I fought on like a warrior.

PK: Is there anything you want to add to close out the interview?

HY: I appreciate all my fans who watch me fight hopefully they enjoy it. I know they all pay good money to see me fight and I am glad I keep them entertained. I love reading your site too, you guys do a great job! I just want to let everyone know that I have big things coming soon. We have two or three big names we are looking at after this fight. Just stay patient, the time is coming soon!

PK: Keep on kickin' ass Har!


If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com

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