1939: Armstrongs Oct Run

[Bill Paxtom]

I'm Not Knocking The October 1939 Run

But, the 2nd Fight in that run was a 'joke'.

Yes, Henry took on Howard 'Cowboy' Scott just 4-days after defeating
Al Manfredo by a TKO 4 in De Moines, Iowa on Monday October 9th.

This bout was also pulled back to 10-Rounds, and the Sportswriters
stated that the bout was more of an 'exhibition' than a Championship
bout.
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Friday ~ October 13, 1939

Bout #2 'On the Tour'

The Armory ~ Minneapolis, Minnesota

Attendance......... 6000 {Capacity; 6800}

Henry Armstrong
Age......... 26 years, 10 months
Height..... 5' 5 1/2"
Reach..... 67"
Weight.... 141 lbs.
Record.... 98-12-7 {66 KO's}
Rank....... Welterweight Champion

Howard Scott
Age......... 28 years, 3 months
Height..... 5' 7"
Reach...... 68"
Weight.... 147 lbs.
Record.... 61-38-10 {13 KO's}
Rank....... N/R

Howard 'Cowboy' Scott was a Mid-West 'barn-stormer' from Oklahoma.

And again, this was a scheduled 10-Round bout.

Howard was 'far' from a World Class Top 10 Welterweight, and was the typical
'always ready' club fighter.

Howard was coming into this 'so-called' Welterweight Title Bout by going
an incredible 1-9-0 in his last 10-Bouts, including a {L TKO 6} loss to
Bucky Taylor only 11-days earlier {October 2nd} in Baltimore, Maryland.

To his credit, 'Cowboy' {a 9-Year Professional} was an entertaining fighter who
enjoyed a good scrap. And in 109-Bouts he had only been stopped '7' times.

Howard was really a 135 lb. Lightweight, but was willing to fight over 140 lbs.
at a blink-of-an-eye.

Far from a big puncher, Howard was a surprisingly busy and aggressive
fighter who was willing to trade.

'The Fight'

Henry wasted little time, and the dusky little Champion went right after 'Cowboy'
in the opening Round.

Henry hammered Howard with a series of punches and drove Howard all over
the Ring. But the 'pesky' Challenger fought back hard, despite being out-classed.

But just before the Bell, Henry landed a hard left-hook squarely on Howard's chin,
and dropped him for a '9-Count'. Howard struggled up in a 'dizzy-mess' and barely
made it back to his corner.

Henry came out 'bobbing-and-weaving' at the start of Round 2, and raked over
Howard with a series of lefts-and-rights to both the head and body. Henry 'shellacked'
Howard with punches, and then backed off at the {1:10 Mark}.

The fight moved to Center-Ring, and both fighters were milling about, when suddenly
Henry let loose with a short but powerful right-hand to Howard's jaw. Howard then
tumbled to the canvas.

Referee - John DeOtis counted out Howard Scott @ 1:35 of Round 2.

Note > Howard 'Cowboy' Scott had only '1' more fight in his career before retiring.