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.

[Bill Paxtom]

"I Did Not Know That"

May 31, 1938

World Welterweight Championship

Barney Ross vs. Henry Armstrong

* Barney Ross was an {8-5} Betting Favorite.

Since January 1937, Henry had scored '37' straight wins, with '35' by Knockout.
An incredible run.

But the word was, that Ed Meade {Manager for Henry Armstrong} had created
a 'paper record' for Henry with all those 'Knockout' wins.

Agreed upon 'Contract' weights.
* Barney Ross............ 142
* Henry Armstrong..... 136

That was only way that Henry Armstrong could get this bout.

Very few of the Boxing Press believed that 'little' Henry could stop the bigger
Barney Ross.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 1938

Barney Ross vs. Henry Armstrong

Henry had started his Training Camp in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey - and
was working out with tough Canadian Welterweight - Frankie Genovese.

Manager - Ed Meade wanted Henry to spar with a tough-guy, and to work
on 'bobbing-and-weaving' in preparation for his Welterweight Challenge.

---------------

Barney Ross in the meantime, had started his Training Camp on April 30th
and at Grossinger's Resort in the Catskills.

After 3-Weeks >

Barney had sparred a total of '63-Rounds' in '15' sessions. The word was, that
Barney had never looked so good, and his left-hand was as sharp as ever.

Manager - Sam Pian >
"Barney will win, by using his superior physical condition and better technical skills.
He's in the best shape that I have ever seen him."

Trainer - Art Winch >
"This will be no big deal. Armstrong is too small. I wouldn't be surprised if Barney
stops him by the 8th Round."