1939: Armstrongs Oct Run

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ October 20, 1939

Bout #3 'On the Tour'

Civic Auditorium ~ Seattle, Washington

Promoter > Nate Druxman

Attendance..... 5000 {Capacity; 9000}

15-Round Welterweight Championship Bout

Henry Armstrong
Age.......... 26 years, 10 months
Height...... 5' 5 1/2"
Reach....... 67"
Weight..... 139 3/4 lbs.
Record..... 99-12-7 {67 KO's}
Rank........ Welterweight Champion

Richie Fontaine
Age......... 23 years, 7 months
Height..... 5' 6"
Reach...... 66"
Record..... 36-20-10 {11 KO's}
Weight..... 141 lbs.
Rank........ N/R

"The Fight"

Richie came out fast at the Opening Bell, and attacked with his 'flashy style'.
Richie scored with a variety of left-hands on Henry. Richie even scored with a
wild overhand-right 'Sucker Punch' to Henry's head.

Richie was 'flying fast' and out-sped Henry, who was content to patiently
wait for an opening. But Richie was flying so fast, that he nearly exhausted
himself.

Round 1 was for Richie.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Round 2, the success that Richie Fontaine had in Round 1 ended.

Henry came out pressing, and during the 1st good exchange, Henry dropped
Richie with a short left-hook to the jaw at the {0:30 Mark}. Richie went down
to one-knee, but bounced right back up without a Count.

Instead of moving, Richie tried to attack Henry. Moments later, Richie was
'floored' again by a short left-hook to the jaw. Again, Richie bounced right back
up without a Count.

This time, Richie moved away from Henry. But Henry was quick to charge in,
and slammed Richie with a barrage of lefts-and-rights. Richie went down
a 3rd-Time. This time he took a '2-Count' before rising.

Richie was back on the move, and circled both to his left and right as Henry
moved in and closed the gap. Richie attempted to fight back, but was shaken
by a left-hook at the {2:08 Mark}. Richie then moved in close and tied up
Henry, as the fight moved out to Center-Ring.

Both fighters were 'milling about' at Center-Ring, when suddenly Henry fired
a chopping right-hand just below Richie's left ear at the {2:28 Mark}.

Richie dropped to his knee's like a 'sack-of-cement'. Richie struggled up at
the '4-Count'.

The Referee - Tommy Clark asked Richie if he wanted continue, and he nodded
and said 'Yes'.

As Henry moved in, Richie back-pedaled around the Ring looking to hide. Henry
continued to pursue and finally trapped Richie in a Corner. There, Henry unloaded
with a 'heavy' 3-Punch combination at the {2:56 Mark}, and dropped Richie a
5th-time.

Richie again struggled up at the '4-Count' on rubbery-legs, and was luckily saved
by the 'gong of the bell'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Round 3, Richie came out on rubbery-legs, but he was able to 'move-and-dance'
just enough to avoid Henry's punches over the first-half of the session.

But Henry came on just past the mid-way point, and landed a 'cluster-of-blows' on
Richie sending him down to his knee's at the {1:47 Mark}. Richie struggled up at
the '6-Count', and looked dazed.

Seconds later, Henry charged in and landed a right-hand to the head, and a solid
left-jab to the face.

Richie then fell 'face first' into the canvas. Before Referee - Tommy Clark could start the
count, a 'towel' was thrown into the Ring by Richie Fontaine's corner at the 2:03 Mark.

Henry Armstrong was the winner.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note >
Richie Fontaine continued with his career and fought '8' more times. He did not win
a 'single-bout', and went 0-7-1 in those bouts.

[Bill Paxtom]

Manager - Ed Meade

Basically took Henry Armstrong on a 'barn-storming tour' in late-1939.

His opponents were 'not' Top 10 ranked, or even Top 20 ranked for that matter.

The plan was to stage several 'billed' Welterweight Championship bouts thru
October 1939.

Then Henry was to take some off and rest in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Then get ready
to take on Lightweight Champion - Lou Ambers in New York.

[Bill Paxtom]

1939 Barnstorming Tour

Manager - Ed Meade was 'keen' to this, as he was able to get his fighter
Henry Armstrong a 'pretty penny' out in the in Country and away from
New York.

The 'plan', was to have Henry take on '5-Bouts' in October, then head
to Hot Springs, Arkansas for 2-Weeks in early November to rest.

Then to head back to New York, to take on Lou Ambers 'again' for the
Lightweight Championship on December 1, 1939.

Ed Meade >
"I would rather have Henry get paid for 'modified bouts' instead of just
going to Training Camp, and not getting paid. We're in the business of
making money."

"Henry can fight 'twice-a-week', and not get tired or worn down. He's an
amazing athlete. He's not human, he's a 'machine'. There will never be
another like him."

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ October 24, 1939

Just 4-Days after destroying Richie Fontaine in Seattle, Washington >

Henry Armstrong is now in Los Angeles, California to take on Jimmy Garrison.

Promoter - Babe McCoy has brought in the Welterweight Champion to take
on a pretty rough character in 'The Mud Flats Kid' Jimmy Garrison of
Kansas City, Missouri.

Jimmy {Age; 25 years, 7 months} is a 'tough-and-durable' Lightweight
at 5' 6 1/2", but has routinely competed at 140 lbs. He is a sharp-puncher
and a very good boxer.

Jimmy comes in with a respectable record of 28-10-4 {6 KO's}, including
'5-Straight' wins in the past 4-Months.

Jimmy is also coming off an impressive win {W Dec 10} over 'highly touted'
Nick Peters just 11-days earlier {October 13th}.

A 'tough-sort', the 5-Year Pro has only been stopped 'twice' {by cuts} in
'44-Bouts'. Though Jimmy has only scored {5 KO's}, he packs a decent
wallop with his right-hand.

Jimmy, besides having a solid chin, carries a good right-hand with both
a hook and uppercut.

[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

[Bill Paxtom]

Just 6-Days after defeating the stubborn Jimmy Garrison by a 10-Round Decision
at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Henry Armstrong was to take on Bobby Pacho in Denver, Colorado on Monday Night,
October 30th.

This would be Hammerin' Hank Armstrong's '5th-Bout' in only 22-Days.

Fight Promoter - Jack Kanner had this bout signed on October 17th.

Bobby Pacho >

Bobby, from Baldwin Park, California, was a veteran Welterweight {Age; 29 years, 2 months}
with a record of 82-55-16 {39 KO's}.

The Filipino usually campaigned at 150+ lbs., and was regarded as a clever boxer
as a 10-Year Pro with 153-Bouts.

Bobby, short at 5' 6" was pretty durable, and had only been stopped '5-Times' in his career.

Bobby was no stranger to Henry Armstrong, as he fought Henry for the Welterweight
Championship only 7-months earlier {March 4, 1939} in Havana, Cuba. In that bout,
Bobby was stopped {L TKO 4} by Henry.

Coming into this bout, Bobby had only gone {1-5-1} in his last '6-Bouts' over the
past 5-Months, including losing 3-Straight.

Interestingly, this bout was sanctioned by the NBA and for 15-Rounds.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ October 30, 1939

Bout #5 'On the Tour'

Municipal Auditorium ~ Denver, Colorado

Promoter; Jack Kanner

Attendance.... 4800

Henry Armstrong
Age........ 26 years, 10 months
Height.... 5' 5 1/2"
Reach.... 67"
Weight... 140 lbs.
Record.... 101-12-7 {69 KO's}
Rank...... Welterweight Champion

Bobby Pacho
Age........ 29 years, 2 months
Height.... 5' 6"
Reach..... 66"
Weight.... 146 lbs.
Record.... 82-55-16 {39 KO's}
Rank........ N/R

This bout was scheduled for 15-Rounds.

Bobby Pacho had struggled to make weight {147 lbs.}, but did get down to 146 lbs.
But, Bobby looked 'flabby' and battle scarred entering the Ring.

"The Fight"

From the outset, it was 'all' Henry as he attacked with perpetual motion.

Bobby only landed a few 'minimal' punches in the 1st-Round, and looked
over-matched as Henry worked like a 'buzz-saw'.

In Rounds 2 and 3, Henry shuffled forward and raked Bobby with lefts-and-rights
in a non-stop whirl. Bobby was forced backwards and into the Ropes, where he
took a lathering.

In Round 4, Henry bounced punches off of Bobby's head, and again drove him
backwards into the Ropes. At the {1:15 Mark}, Henry landed a barrage of
lefts-and-rights into Bobby's face, and his legs buckled.

Bobby then sagged into the Ropes as Henry unloaded with a flurry. With Bobby
helpless, Referee - Jack Bloom jumped in and halted the bout at the 1:30 Mark
as Bobby sagged to the canvas.

Henry Armstrong winner by TKO @ 1:30 of Round 4.

[Bill Paxtom]

Henry Armstrong

Was supposed to head to New York, to take on World Lightweight Champion
Lou Ambers at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 1939.

What Happened ?

[Master]

Henry Armstrong

Was supposed to head to New York, to take on World Lightweight Champion
Lou Ambers at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 1939.

What Happened ?

He fought and beat him?

[Bill Paxtom]

Henry Armstrong

Was supposed to head to New York, to take on World Lightweight Champion
Lou Ambers at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 1939.

What Happened ?

He fought and beat him?

Actually No.

3-Days before the bout, Henry 'claimed' that he had a bad cold and pulled out of
of the bout.

Others stated that his manager -Ed Meade was worried about Henry losing to Lou Ambers again in New York.

Surprise, Surprise.

A few days later, Ed Meade signed up Henry to defend his Welterweight Championship
in Cleveland, Ohio - and set for December 12th against 'old foe' Jimmy Garrison a second time within 2-Months.

[IamInuit]

Henry Armstrong

Was supposed to head to New York, to take on World Lightweight Champion
Lou Ambers at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 1939.

What Happened ?

He fought and beat him?

Actually No.

3-Days before the bout, Henry 'claimed' that he had a bad cold and pulled out of
of the bout.

Others stated that his manager -Ed Meade was worried about Henry losing to Lou Ambers again in New York.

Surprise, Surprise.

A few days later, Ed Meade signed up Henry to defend his Welterweight Championship
in Cleveland, Ohio - and set for December 12th against 'old foe' Jimmy Garrison a second time within 2-Months.

Do you practice being a dumb shit? Henry already beat the man and then fought him again in August of that year and got robbed after coming back down from welterweight. Why would he then decide to go back up and then down again for a guy that just jobbed him? And so what even if he decided not to? It does not take anything away from the man or what he accomplished. What are going to suggest next that was scared?

[Bill Paxtom]

Easy there 'marmaluke'.

Read your History.

Ed Meade was worried that Henry would lose to Lou Ambers at Welterweight
in December 1939.

Meaning, that Henry would have no 'Belt'.

Henry was off to Cleveland, after 'catching cold' 3-Days before the bout
with Lou Ambers in New York.

[IamInuit]

Lol read your history idiot instead of just pasting news blurbs from hack colour barrier sites like the Montana standard at the time. Yeah Hank skipped town on a man he beat twice but was jobbed once and then ducked him to then punch Jenkins out twice who had recently wasted Ambers twice. You really are a pinhead and as transparent as hell Frankfurter, Maxpower or one of the other ten aliases you have used. Do the homework before you answer next time and at least try to hide the racism you harbour towards all Atg's that happen to be black.

Dumb ass.

[Bill Paxtom]

Only a 'racist' can see 'racism' in everything.

Not sure what this thread has anything to do with Henry Armstrong's color.

Fact >

In October 1939

Ed Meade and Henry Armstrong agreed to fight Lou Ambers on December 22, 1939
and for the Lightweight Championship.

The reason, Lou Ambers had just gotten married and wanted to take November 1939
off.

So Ed took Henry on a 'barn-storming tour' to stay busy.

Then the bout with Lou Ambers was 'bumped up to December 1, 1939 - and with
Henry's Welterweight Championship on the line.

Promoter - Mike Jacobs wanted this bout to go on, and Ed Meade asked Mike to
move the bout up 3-weeks.

Lou Ambers said no to December 1st, and agreed to a December 14th date, and no earlier.
Then he agreed to December 1st, when his fight purse was increased, and providing
that Henry's Welterweight Championship was on the line.

Henry was in New York in mid-November, getting prepared for Lou Ambers.

Reports were, that Henry was nursing 'sore hands' due to his heavy October 1939 schedule.

Suddenly, on November 27th - Henry caught a cold and was 'supposedly' bed-ridden,
and pulled out.

The bout was 'scrupped'.

[IamInuit]

What a fool.Look man I cant be bothered with you. I rarely even look at what you have to say because its so rehearsed and frankly full of shit and slanted to serve the chronic sincere delusion you apparently suffer from ergo the false conclusions drawn. All the little symbols and pasted editing does nothing to change the facts. The facts have been stated and you again were buried by them. I suggest you take a remedial historic boxing lesson on line which you should be good at.. Its kind of ironic because you choose the name Bill Paxtom almost like you want people to believe you are Bill Paxton who wrote or rather copied from other works, the story of Harry Greb which actually makes sense the more I think about it.