1939: Armstrongs Oct Run

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ October 24, 1939

Bout #4 'On the Tour'

Olympic Aditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Promoter.......... Babe McCoy
Matchmaker..... Jim Murray

World Welterweight Championship {10-Rounds}

Attendance...... 10,000

Henry Armstrong
Age........ 26 years, 10 months
Height.... 5' 5 1/2"
Reach..... 67"
Weight... 138 1/2 lbs.
Record... 100-12-7 {68 KO's}
Rank...... Welterweight Champion

Jimmy Garrison
Age........ 25 years, 7 months
Height.... 5' 6 1/2"
Reach..... 68"
Weight.... 139 1/2 lbs.
Record.... 28-10-2 {6 KO's}
Rank....... N/R

"The Fight"

Henry got off to a slow start. He was steady with pressure, but each time
that he got close, Jimmy would fire off a right-hook and back to the Ropes.

While up against the Ropes, Jimmy would counter Henry with quick right-hooks
or right uppercuts.

Thru 4-Rounds, it was a 'close fight', with the bout looking at the slightest
edge for Henry at {2-1-1} on the Scorecards.

In Round 5, Jimmy got off to a good start and pecked away with right-hands. Henry
was slow in his counters, and was content to bull his way inside.

But Jimmy beat Henry to the punch, and then backed to the Ropes. As Henry moved,
in, Jimmy would again fire right-hooks off Henry's left shoulder and into his head.

Jimmy had his best moments late in Round 5, when he bounced several right-hands
off Henry's head.

Most had the bout 'All Even' after 5-Rounds.

Before Round 6, Ed Meade told Henry to >
"Step it up to the next gear, and take this into the 'fast-lane'. He can't match you there."

In Round 6, Henry did just that. Henry poured it on and hammered Jimmy with barrage's,
sending him back-pedaling.

Henry kept up that pace in Round 7 as well, and had Jimmy backing away and circling
fast.

In Round 8, Henry continued with his attack. Jimmy was forced to fight back, and got
caught by a hard right-hand to the head which dropped him at the {2:00 Mark}. Jimmy
took a '1-Count' and returned to his bicycle.

In Rounds 9 and 10, it was all Henry as he slammed the Challenger with blow-after-blow.

Only Jimmy's toughness kept him upright. Henry poured it on over the last-minute of
Round 10 in an effort to topple Jimmy. Jimmy was battered and took a lot of punishment,
and was nearly gone, but he made it to the Final Bell.

Winner by Decision ....... Henry Armstrong