Thread: Henry Armstrong ~ 'January 1937 thru September 1940'

Henry Armstrong

World Champion

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As Welterweight Champion >

December 5, 1938 - thru - September 23, 1940

Henry defended his Title an incredible '19-Times' and scored 16 KO's.

But, in that 21-Month span, how many of the '19' Challengers were 'Top Notch'.

Many of the bouts were 'not' sanctioned by the NBA, and many of the bouts
were only approved for 10-Rounds.

Here we goad. Sorry go.

Originally Posted by Greenbeanz

Here we goad. Sorry go.

Lol its like the Czar telling the Bolsheviks that he promises to be better after he's been buried dug up and then reburied again.

'Part 1' of the Run

December 5, 1938....... TKO 3 ....... Al Manfredo

January 10, 1939 ....... W Dec 10 ... Baby Arizmendi

March 3, 1939 ........... TKO 4 ........ Bobby Pacho

March 16, 1939 ......... KO 1 .......... Lew Feldman

March 31, 1939 ......... TKO 12 ...... Davey Day

May 25, 1939 ............ W Dec 15 ... Ernie Roderick

December 1938

Manager - Ed Meade

"I'll take a volume of bouts over Top Guys any day of the week. We can make
more money by fighting on a regular basis, than taking 3-Months to get ready
for a Top 3 guy."

"We can pull in $5000 a bout, plus expenses. This way, Henry can stay busy
and make a very good living, and travel all over the Country."

Henry Armstrong

First turned the trick on October 29, 1937

With an impressive record of 73-11-7 {47 KO's}

Hammerin' Hank {Age; 24 years, 11 months} who usually campaigned at
132 lbs., got down to Featherweight and took on World Champion
* Pete Sarron

Pete {Age; 30 years, 11 months} had a record of 92-21-12 {25 KO's}, and
had never been stopped in 125-Bouts.

Hank, at 124 lbs. 'demolished' Pete by KO 6 {2:36}.

Right away, Henry was on the run and took on '14' opponents over the
next 5-Months. Henry won every bout, and scored {13 KO's} over a string
of quality Lightweights.

Henry admittingly, stated that he could not make 126 lbs. anymore, and would
campaign in the next weight division.

On May 31, 1938 - just 7-Months after winning the Featherweight Championship,
and with a record of 88-11-7 {61 KO's} Henry as the Featherweight Champion leaped up
2-Divisions to Welterweight, to take on veteran Champion - Barney Ross.

Still a small fighter at {5' 5 1/2" and 133 lbs.}, Henry challenged the 28 1/2 year-old
Champion - Barney Ross who weighed in at 142 lbs.

The veteran Barney Ross with a record of 72-3-3 {22 KO's}, also had never been
stopped in his career.

"I Did Not Know That"

May 31, 1938

World Welterweight Championship

Barney Ross vs. Henry Armstrong

* Barney Ross was an {8-5} Betting Favorite.

Since January 1937, Henry had scored '37' straight wins, with '35' by Knockout.
An incredible run.

But the word was, that Ed Meade {Manager for Henry Armstrong} had created
a 'paper record' for Henry with all those 'Knockout' wins.

Agreed upon 'Contract' weights.
* Barney Ross............ 142
* Henry Armstrong..... 136

That was only way that Henry Armstrong could get this bout.

Very few of the Boxing Press believed that 'little' Henry could stop the bigger
Barney Ross.

May 1938

Barney Ross vs. Henry Armstrong

Henry had started his Training Camp in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey - and
was working out with tough Canadian Welterweight - Frankie Genovese.

Manager - Ed Meade wanted Henry to spar with a tough-guy, and to work
on 'bobbing-and-weaving' in preparation for his Welterweight Challenge.

---------------

Barney Ross in the meantime, had started his Training Camp on April 30th
and at Grossinger's Resort in the Catskills.

After 3-Weeks >

Barney had sparred a total of '63-Rounds' in '15' sessions. The word was, that
Barney had never looked so good, and his left-hand was as sharp as ever.

Manager - Sam Pian >
"Barney will win, by using his superior physical condition and better technical skills.
He's in the best shape that I have ever seen him."

Trainer - Art Winch >
"This will be no big deal. Armstrong is too small. I wouldn't be surprised if Barney
stops him by the 8th Round."