1939: Armstrongs Oct Run

[Bill Paxtom]

October 1939

Bout #1 'On the Tour'

Monday ~ October 9, 1939

Des Moines Coliseum ~ Des Moines, Iowa

Promoter............ Pinkie George

Attendance.......... 5500 {Capacity; 10,000}
Gate Receipts..... $8900

Henry Armstrong vs. Al Manfredo

Henry Armstrong
Age......... 26 years, 10 Months
Height..... 5' 5 1/2"
Reach..... 67"
Weight.... 141 1/2 lbs.
record..... 97-12-7 {65 KO's}
Rank....... Welterweight Champion

Al Manfredo
Age......... 27 years, 1 month
Height..... 5' 9"
Reach...... 70"
Weight..... 146 3/4 lbs.
Record..... 72-21-8 {26 KO's}
Rank....... #18 Welterweight

The Fresno-based Welterweight was at the end of his career. And, Al was previously
taken apart by Henry {L TKO 3} only 10-Months earlier {December 5, 1938} in a
Welterweight Championship bout.

Since that loss, Al had gone 7-2-0 {3 KO's} in his last 9-Bouts, and strictly against
a string of mediocre opponents.

But Al {a 9-Year Professional} was still a 'cagey sort' and a decent fighter with
a good left-hand. But he was no longer considered a Top 10 Welterweight.

Al's style was that of an aggressive and busy puncher, especially with the left-hand,
as he had a good left-jab and a solid left-uppercut to the body.

Al was a 'big' Welterweight, and was very durable, as he had only been stopped
'twice' in his 9-year career of 101-Bouts. That to Henry Armstrong {L TKO 3} on
December 5, 1938 and an early career TKO loss due to a cut-eye.

Note; This bout, though originally billed as a Welterweight Championship Bout was
changed to a 10-Round bout.

Note; Colonel Harvey Miller, the Secretary of the National Boxing Association stated
that Al Manfredo was 'not' a Top 3 Welterweight, and that the NBA would 'not' recognize
the bout as a World Championship fight.

Henry {Age; 29 years, 10 months} was coming off a grueling 15-Rond Bout with
Lou Ambers only 6-Weeks earlier {August 22, 1939}, where Henry lost {L Dec 15}
in a bout for the Lightweight Championship.

But that being said, it was a remarkable feat for Henry to get back into the Ring
in only 6-Weeks.

The Fight >

In the 'Opening Round', Al Manfredo went to work by using his left-jab to good advantage.
Al was able to keep Henry at long-range by using his longer reach, and took the Round
by a slight-edge.

In Round 2, Al Manfredo was on his bicycle, and back-pedaled all around the Ring as
Henry stalked him. Henry put heavy pressure on Al as he chased his over-matched opponent.
The Champion scored with some solid 'left-right' slams, and had Al in the defensive-mode.

In Round 3, Henry 'exploded' and stormed all over Al by showering him with lefts-and-rights.
Al was sent reeling several times, and repeatedly held to stay upright.

Late in the Round, Henry had Al staggering on rubbery legs. Al was 'helpless' at the Bell.

In Round 4, Henry picked up where he left off, and sent Al flying into the Ropes several times.
At the {1:20 Mark}, Henry battered Al into the Ropes again and moments later had him hanging
over the Ropes in a daze.

The Referee - Alex Tidier jumped in and stopped the slaughter at 1:35 of the Round.

Henry by a TKO 4 @ 1:35.

Note > Al Manfredo only fought 'twice' more before retiring.