Henry Armstrong ~ 'January 1937 thru September 1940'

[Bill Paxtom]

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.