Henry Armstrong | |
---|---|
Born | Henry Melody Jackson Jr. December 12, 1912 Columbus, Mississippi, U.S. |
Died | October 22, 1988 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Other names |
|
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | |
Height | 5 ft 5+1⁄2 in (166 cm) |
Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 181 |
Wins | 151 |
Wins by KO | 101 |
Losses | 21 |
Draws | 9 |
Henry Jackson Jr. (December 12, 1912 – October 22, 1988) was an American professional boxer and a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong.
Armstrong was one of the few fighters to win in three or more different divisions: featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. He defended his welterweight title a total of nineteen times.
The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1937. The Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1940. He is currently ranked by BoxRec as the 12th-greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time.[1] In 2007, The Ring ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of the last 80 years.[2] Boxing coach and commentator Teddy Atlas considers Armstrong to be the greatest of all time.[3] Historian Bert Sugar also ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of all time. ESPN ranked Armstrong as number 3 on their list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time.[4] He was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.[5] In 2019, the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO) ranked him as the second best boxer of all time, pound for pound, as well as the second-best featherweight, third-best welterweight, and fifth-best lightweight of all time.[6][7][8][9]
Early life
He was born Henry Jackson Jr. on December 12, 1912, in Columbus, Mississippi. He was the son of Henry Jackson Sr., a sharecropper of African American descent and America Jackson, said to be a "full-blooded" Iroquois. As a child, Henry Jr. moved with his family to St. Louis, Missouri, during the early period of the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to industrial cities of the Midwest and North. There he became involved in boxing. He graduated as an honor student from Vashon High School in St. Louis[10] Later he took the surname Armstrong as his fighting name.
Early career
Armstrong began his professional career on July 28, 1931, in a fight with Al Iovino, in which Armstrong was knocked out in three rounds. His first win came later that year, beating Sammy Burns by a decision in six. In 1932, Armstrong moved to Los Angeles, where he lost two four-round decisions in a row to Eddie Trujillo and Al Greenfield. Following these two losses, however, he started a streak of 11 wins.[11]
In 1936, Armstrong split his time among Los Angeles, Mexico City and St. Louis. A few notable opponents of that year include Ritchie Fontaine, Baby Arizmendi, former world champion Juan Zurita, and Mike Belloise.[11] Early in his career, he fought some fights under the ring name Melody Jackson.[12]
In 1937 alone, Armstrong went 27–0 (26KO). Aldo Spoldi was the only opponent to take him the full 10 rounds. He kayoed Baby Casanova in three rounds, Belloise in four, Joe Rivers in three, former world champion Frankie Klick in four, and former world champion Benny Bass in four.[11] Armstrong was given his first world title fight, for the title in the 126-pound weight class against World Featherweight Champion Petey Sarron at Madison Square Garden. Armstrong knocked Sarron out in six rounds, becoming the World Featherweight Champion.[13]
Armstrong's two nicknames were Hurricane Henry and Homicide' Hank.[14]
In 1938, Armstrong started his season with seven more knockouts in a row, including one over Chalky Wright, a future world champion. The streak finally ended when Arizmendi lasted ten rounds before losing a decision to Armstrong in their fourth fight. Armstrong's streak of 27 knockout wins in a row qualifies as one of the longest knockout win streaks in the history of boxing, according to The Ring magazine.
Later in 1938, Armstrong, still the Featherweight division world champion, challenged Barney Ross for the title. Later a fellow member of the three division champions' club, Ross was then World Welterweight Champion. Armstrong, at 133+1⁄2 pounds, beat Ross, at 142 pounds, by unanimous decision, adding the World Welterweight Championship to his belt. Armstrong lost weight in order to compete in the lower weight division, and beat World Lightweight Champion Lou Ambers by split decision. Armstrong was the first boxer ever to hold world championships in three different weight divisions at the same time. He decided not to maintain the required 126-pound weight anymore and left the featherweight crown vacant.[13]
Welterweight defenses
Armstrong dedicated the next two years to defending the welterweight crown, beating, among others, Ceferino Garcia, a future World Middleweight Champion, and Bobby Pacho.
Armstrong defended his Lightweight belt in a rematch with Ambers, which he lost on a 15-round decision. After that, he concentrated once again on defending the world Welterweight title. He defended it in eight fights in a row, the last of which was a nine-round knockout win over Puerto Rico's Pedro Montañez.
Armstrong sought to become the first boxer to win world titles in four different categories in a rematch with Garcia, already the World Middleweight Champion, but the fight ended in a ten-round draw. Armstrong's attempt to win a world title in a fourth division was frustrated.[15] According to boxing historian Bert Sugar, many commentators of the time said that Armstrong deserved the decision in this fight.[16]
Returning to the welterweight division, Armstrong successfully defended the title five more times, until Fritzie Zivic beat him to take the world title in a 15-round decision. This ended Armstrong's reign as Welterweight Champion. Armstrong's eighteen successful title defenses were the most in history in the Welterweight division.
In 1945, Armstrong retired from boxing. His official record was 152 wins, 21 losses and 9 draws, with 101 knockout wins.[11]
After boxing
After retiring from boxing in 1946, Armstrong briefly opened a Harlem nightclub, the Melody Room (named after his first nickname).[17] He returned to settle again in St. Louis, Missouri where, apart from the ceremonies and galas that he attended afterward, he led a quiet retirement. He became a born-again Christian and an ordained Baptist minister and youth advocate, helping to run the Herbert Hoover Boys Club. He also taught young fighters how to box.[12] In February 1966, Rev. Armstrong appeared on the TV game show I've Got a Secret with his simultaneous triple championship as his secret.
Honors
- 1937, The Ring magazine named him as Fighter of the Year.
- 1940, the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him as Fighter of the Year.
- In 1954, Armstrong was inducted into The Ring magazine Boxing Hall of Fame the year it was established.[10]
- In 1987, he was among those inductees from The Ring ' list who were absorbed into the International Boxing Hall of Fame when it was established.[10]
- In 1995, Armstrong was posthumously honored for his boxing career by being inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[10]
- In 2007, The Ring magazine ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of the last 80 years.[2]
- In 2007, ESPN ranked Armstrong as number 3 on their list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time.[4]
Professional boxing record
183 fights | 152 wins | 22 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 100 | 2 |
By decision | 52 | 18 |
By disqualification | 0 | 2 |
Draws | 9 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
183 | Loss | 151–22–10 | Chester Slider | PTS | 10 | Feb 14, 1945 | 35 years, 64 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
182 | Win | 151–21–10 | Genaro Rojo | UD | 10 | Feb 6, 1945 | 35 years, 56 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
181 | Draw | 150–21–10 | Chester Slider | PTS | 10 | Jan 17, 1945 | 35 years, 36 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
180 | Win | 150–21–9 | Mike Belloise | KO | 4 (10), 0:20 | Nov 4, 1944 | 34 years, 328 days | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
179 | Win | 149–21–9 | Aldo Spoldi | KO | 2 (10), 2:43 | Sep 15, 1944 | 34 years, 278 days | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri | |
178 | Win | 148–21–9 | Willie Joyce | PTS | 10 | Aug 21, 1944 | 34 years, 253 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
177 | Draw | 147–21–9 | Slugger White | PTS | 10 | Jul 14, 1944 | 34 years, 215 days | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California | |
176 | Loss | 147–21–8 | John Thomas | UD | 10 | Jul 4, 1944 | 34 years, 205 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
175 | Win | 147–20–8 | Nick Latsios | UD | 10 | Jun 21, 1944 | 34 years, 192 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
174 | Win | 146–20–8 | Al 'Bummy' Davis | TKO | 2 (10), 0:59 | Jun 15, 1944 | 34 years, 186 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
173 | Loss | 145–20–8 | Willie Joyce | UD | 10 | Jun 2, 1944 | 34 years, 173 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois | |
172 | Win | 145–19–8 | Aaron Perry | TKO | 6 (10), 2:56 | May 22, 1944 | 34 years, 162 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. | |
171 | Win | 144–19–8 | Ralph Zannelli | UD | 10 | May 16, 1944 | 34 years, 156 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | |
170 | Win | 143–19–8 | John Thomas | SD | 10 | Apr 25, 1944 | 34 years, 135 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
169 | Win | 142–19–8 | Ralph Zannelli | UD | 10 | Mar 24, 1944 | 34 years, 103 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | |
168 | Win | 141–19–8 | Frankie Willis | UD | 10 | Mar 20, 1944 | 34 years, 99 days | Uline Arena, Washington, D.C. | |
167 | Win | 140–19–8 | Johnny Jones | KO | 5 (10), 1:10 | Mar 14, 1944 | 34 years, 93 days | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida | |
166 | Win | 139–19–8 | Jackie Byrd | KO | 4 (10), 1:18 | Feb 29, 1944 | 34 years, 79 days | Coliseum, Des Moines, Iowa | |
165 | Win | 138–19–8 | Jimmy Garrison | TKO | 5 (10), 1:56 | Feb 23, 1944 | 34 years, 73 days | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri | |
164 | Win | 137–19–8 | Lew Hanbury | KO | 3 (10), 1:10 | Feb 7, 1944 | 34 years, 57 days | Uline Arena, Washington, D.C. | |
163 | Win | 136–19–8 | Saverio Turiello | KO | 7 (12), 1:34 | Jan 25, 1944 | 34 years, 44 days | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
162 | Win | 135–19–8 | Aldo Spoldi | KO | 3 (10), 1:39 | Jan 14, 1944 | 34 years, 33 days | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
161 | Loss | 134–19–8 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 10 | Aug 27, 1943 | 33 years, 258 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
160 | Win | 134–18–8 | Joey Silva | PTS | 10 | Aug 14, 1943 | 33 years, 245 days | Gonzaga Stadium, Spokane, Washington | |
159 | Win | 133–18–8 | Jimmy Garrison | PTS | 10 | Aug 6, 1943 | 33 years, 237 days | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
158 | Win | 132–18–8 | Willie Joyce | UD | 10 | Jul 24, 1943 | 33 years, 224 days | Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California | |
157 | Win | 131–18–8 | Sammy Angott | UD | 10 | Jun 11, 1943 | 33 years, 181 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
156 | Win | 130–18–8 | Maxie Shapiro | TKO | 7 (10), 1:58 | May 24, 1943 | 33 years, 163 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
155 | Win | 129–18–8 | Tommy Jessup | KO | 1 (10), 1:00 | May 7, 1943 | 33 years, 146 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | |
154 | Win | 128–18–8 | Saverio Turiello | TKO | 5 (10) | May 3, 1943 | 33 years, 142 days | Uline Arena, Washington, D.C. | |
153 | Loss | 127–18–8 | Beau Jack | UD | 10 | Apr 2, 1943 | 33 years, 111 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
152 | Win | 127–17–8 | Al Tribuani | UD | 10 | Mar 22, 1943 | 33 years, 100 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
151 | Win | 126–17–8 | Tippy Larkin | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 8, 1943 | 33 years, 86 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
150 | Loss | 125–17–8 | Willie Joyce | MD | 10 | Mar 2, 1943 | 33 years, 80 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
149 | Win | 125–16–8 | Jimmy McDaniels | UD | 10 | Jan 5, 1943 | 33 years, 24 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
148 | Win | 124–16–8 | Saverio Turiello | TKO | 4 (10), 1:20 | Dec 14, 1942 | 33 years, 2 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
147 | Win | 123–16–8 | Lew Jenkins | TKO | 8 (10), 1:55 | Dec 4, 1942 | 32 years, 357 days | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
146 | Win | 122–16–8 | Fritzie Zivic | UD | 10 | Oct 26, 1942 | 32 years, 318 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
145 | Win | 121–16–8 | Juan Zurita | KO | 2 (10), 2:20 | Oct 13, 1942 | 32 years, 305 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
144 | Win | 120–16–8 | Earl Turner | KO | 4 (10) | Sep 30, 1942 | 32 years, 292 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
143 | Win | 119–16–8 | Leo Rodak | TKO | 8 (10), 3:00 | Sep 14, 1942 | 32 years, 276 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
142 | Win | 118–16–8 | Johnny Taylor | TKO | 3 (10) | Sep 7, 1942 | 32 years, 269 days | Arena, Pittman, Nevada | |
141 | Win | 117–16–8 | Rodolfo Ramirez | KO | 8 (10), 1:38 | Aug 26, 1942 | 32 years, 257 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
140 | Win | 116–16–8 | Jackie Burke | PTS | 10 | Aug 13, 1942 | 32 years, 244 days | John Affleck Park, Ogden, Utah | |
139 | Win | 115–16–8 | Aldo Spoldi | TKO | 7 (10), 2:20 | Aug 3, 1942 | 32 years, 234 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
138 | Win | 114–16–8 | Joe Ybarra | TKO | 3 (10) | Jul 20, 1942 | 32 years, 220 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
137 | Loss | 113–16–8 | Rueben Shank | UD | 10 | Jul 3, 1942 | 32 years, 203 days | Municipal Auditorium, Denver, Colorado | |
136 | Win | 113–15–8 | Sheik Rangel | PTS | 10 | Jun 24, 1942 | 32 years, 194 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
135 | Win | 112–15–8 | Johnny Taylor | TKO | 4 (10) | Jun 1, 1942 | 32 years, 171 days | Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California | |
134 | Loss | 111–15–8 | Fritzie Zivic | TKO | 12 (15), 0:52 | Jan 17, 1941 | 31 years, 36 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
133 | Loss | 111–14–8 | Fritzie Zivic | UD | 15 | Oct 4, 1940 | 30 years, 297 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
132 | Win | 111–13–8 | Phil Furr | KO | 4 (15), 1:45 | Sep 23, 1940 | 30 years, 286 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
131 | Win | 110–13–8 | Lew Jenkins | TKO | 6 (12) | Jul 17, 1940 | 30 years, 218 days | Polo Grounds, New York City, New York | |
130 | Win | 109–13–8 | Paul Junior | TKO | 3 (15), 2:39 | Jun 21, 1940 | 30 years, 192 days | Exposition Building, Portland, Oregon | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
129 | Win | 108–13–8 | Ralph Zannelli | TKO | 5 (15), 1:30 | May 24, 1940 | 30 years, 164 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
128 | Win | 107–13–8 | Paul Junior | TKO | 7 (15), 1:05 | Apr 26, 1940 | 30 years, 136 days | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
127 | Draw | 106–13–8 | Ceferino Garcia | PTS | 10 | Mar 1, 1940 | 30 years, 80 days | Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California | Billed as a World Middleweight Title fight recognized only by California |
126 | Win | 106–13–7 | Pedro Montañez | TKO | 9 (15), 0:47 | Jan 24, 1940 | 30 years, 43 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
125 | Win | 105–13–7 | Joe Ghnouly | KO | 5 (15), 0:34 | Jan 4, 1940 | 30 years, 23 days | Municipal Audiotrium, Saint Louis, Missouri | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
124 | Win | 104–13–7 | Jimmy Garrison | KO | 7 (10), 1:19 | Dec 11, 1939 | 29 years, 364 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
123 | Win | 103–13–7 | Bobby Pacho | TKO | 4 (15) | Oct 30, 1939 | 29 years, 322 days | Municipal Auditorium, Denver, Colorado | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
122 | Win | 102–13–7 | Jimmy Garrison | PTS | 10 | Oct 24, 1939 | 29 years, 316 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
121 | Win | 101–13–7 | Richie Fontaine | TKO | 3 (15) | Oct 20, 1939 | 29 years, 312 days | Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
120 | Win | 100–13–7 | Howard Scott | KO | 2 (10), 1:38 | Oct 13, 1939 | 29 years, 305 days | Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
119 | Win | 99–13–7 | Al Manfredo | TKO | 4 (10), 1:35 | Oct 9, 1939 | 29 years, 301 days | Riverview Park, Des Moines, Iowa | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
118 | Loss | 98–13–7 | Lou Ambers | UD | 15 | Aug 22, 1939 | 29 years, 253 days | Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
117 | Win | 98–12–7 | Ernie Roderick | PTS | 15 | May 25, 1939 | 29 years, 164 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
116 | Win | 97–12–7 | Davey Day | TKO | 12 (15), 2:49 | Mar 31, 1939 | 29 years, 109 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
115 | Win | 96–12–7 | Lew Feldman | KO | 1 (15), 2:12 | Mar 16, 1939 | 29 years, 94 days | Municipal Audtiorium, Saint Louis, Missouri | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles; Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
114 | Win | 95–12–7 | Bobby Pacho | TKO | 4 (15), 1:10 | Mar 4, 1939 | 29 years, 82 days | Tropical Stadium, Havana, Cuba | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
113 | Win | 94–12–7 | Baby Arizmendi | PTS | 10 | Jan 10, 1939 | 29 years, 29 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
112 | Win | 93–12–7 | Al Manfredo | TKO | 3 (15), 1:45 | Dec 5, 1938 | 28 years, 358 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
111 | Win | 92–12–7 | Ceferino Garcia | UD | 15 | Nov 25, 1938 | 28 years, 348 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
110 | Win | 91–12–7 | Lou Ambers | SD | 15 | Aug 17, 1938 | 28 years, 248 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
109 | Win | 90–12–7 | Barney Ross | UD | 15 | May 31, 1938 | 28 years, 170 days | Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York | Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
108 | Win | 89–12–7 | Lew Feldman | KO | 5 (10), 1:51 | Mar 30, 1938 | 28 years, 108 days | Hippodrime, New York City, New York | |
107 | Win | 88–12–7 | Eddie Zivic | TKO | 4 (10), 2:35 | Mar 25, 1938 | 28 years, 103 days | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan | |
106 | Win | 87–12–7 | Baby Arizmendi | PTS | 10 | Mar 15, 1938 | 28 years, 93 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
105 | Win | 86–12–7 | Charley Burns | KO | 2 (10), 1:02 | Feb 28, 1938 | 28 years, 78 days | Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
104 | Win | 85–12–7 | Everett Rightmire | TKO | 3 (10), 1:38 | Feb 25, 1938 | 28 years, 75 days | International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois | |
103 | Win | 84–12–7 | Al Citrino | TKO | 4 (10) | Feb 9, 1938 | 28 years, 59 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
102 | Win | 83–12–7 | Chalky Wright | KO | 3 (10), 1:10 | Feb 1, 1938 | 28 years, 51 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
101 | Win | 82–12–7 | Tommy Brown | KO | 2 (10), 1:21 | Jan 22, 1938 | 28 years, 41 days | Labor Temple, Tucson, Arizona | |
100 | Win | 81–12–7 | Frankie Castillo | TKO | 3 (10) | Jan 21, 1938 | 28 years, 40 days | Legion Arena, Phoenix, Arizona | |
99 | Win | 80–12–7 | Enrico Venturi | KO | 6 (10), 2:49 | Jan 12, 1938 | 28 years, 31 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
98 | Win | 79–12–7 | Johnny Jones | KO | 2 (10), 1:20 | Dec 12, 1937 | 28 years, 0 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana | |
97 | Win | 78–12–7 | Tony Chavez | TKO | 1 (10), 2:04 | Dec 6, 1937 | 27 years, 359 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio | |
96 | Win | 77–12–7 | Joey Brown | KO | 2 (10), 0:39 | Nov 23, 1937 | 27 years, 346 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York | |
95 | Win | 76–12–7 | Billy Beauhuld | TKO | 5 (10) | Nov 19, 1937 | 27 years, 342 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
94 | Win | 75–12–7 | Petey Sarron | KO | 6 (15), 2:36 | Oct 29, 1937 | 27 years, 321 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | Won NBA, The Ring, and vacant NYSAC featherweight titles |
93 | Win | 74–12–7 | Joe Marciente | KO | 3 (10), 2:06 | Oct 18, 1937 | 27 years, 310 days | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
92 | Win | 73–12–7 | Bobby Dean | KO | 1 (10), 1:02 | Sep 21, 1937 | 27 years, 283 days | Rayen-Wood Auditorium, Youngstown, Ohio | |
91 | Win | 72–12–7 | Johnny DeFoe | TKO | 4 (10), 1:12 | Sep 16, 1937 | 27 years, 278 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
90 | Win | 71–12–7 | Charley Burns | KO | 4 (10), 2:45 | Sep 9, 1937 | 27 years, 271 days | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania | |
89 | Win | 70–12–7 | Orville Drouillard | TKO | 5 (10) | Aug 31, 1937 | 27 years, 262 days | University of Detroit Stadium, Detroit, Michigan | |
88 | Win | 69–12–7 | Johnny Cabello | RTD | 1 (10) | Aug 16, 1937 | 27 years, 247 days | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C. | |
87 | Win | 68–12–7 | Eddie Brink | KO | 3 (10), 2:36 | Aug 13, 1937 | 27 years, 244 days | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York | |
86 | Win | 67–12–7 | Benny Bass | KO | 4 (10), 2:35 | Jul 27, 1937 | 27 years, 227 days | Baker Bowl, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | |
85 | Win | 66–12–7 | Lew Massey | TKO | 4 (10), 1:20 | Jul 19, 1937 | 27 years, 219 days | Dexter Park Arena, Woodhaven, New York City, New York | |
84 | Win | 65–12–7 | Alf Blatch | TKO | 3 (10), 1:21 | Jul 8, 1937 | 27 years, 208 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
83 | Win | 64–12–7 | Jackie Carter | TKO | 3 (10), 2:02 | Jun 15, 1937 | 27 years, 185 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
82 | Win | 63–12–7 | Mark Diaz | KO | 4 (10), 0:35 | Jun 9, 1937 | 27 years, 179 days | Pasadena Arean, Pasadena, California | |
81 | Win | 62–12–7 | Wally Hally | TKO | 4 (10), 0:50 | May 28, 1937 | 27 years, 167 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California | |
80 | Win | 61–12–7 | Frankie Klick | TKO | 4 (10), 2:57 | May 4, 1937 | 27 years, 143 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
79 | Win | 60–12–7 | Pete DeGrasse | KO | 10 (10), 2:37 | Apr 6, 1937 | 27 years, 115 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
78 | Win | 59–12–7 | Aldo Spoldi | UD | 10 | Mar 19, 1937 | 27 years, 97 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
77 | Win | 58–12–7 | Mike Belloise | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 12, 1937 | 27 years, 90 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York | |
76 | Win | 57–12–7 | 'California' Joe Rivers | TKO | 4 (10), 2:40 | Mar 2, 1937 | 27 years, 80 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
75 | Win | 56–12–7 | Varias Milling | KO | 4 (10), 2:25 | Feb 19, 1937 | 27 years, 69 days | Coliseum, San Diego, California | |
74 | Win | 55–12–7 | Moon Mullins | TKO | 2 (10), 1:20 | Feb 2, 1937 | 27 years, 52 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
73 | Win | 54–12–7 | Tony Chavez | KO | 10 (10) | Jan 19, 1937 | 27 years, 38 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
72 | Win | 53–12–7 | Rodolfo Casanova | KO | 3 (10) | Jan 1, 1937 | 27 years, 20 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City | |
71 | Loss | 52–12–7 | Tony Chavez | DQ | 8 (10) | Dec 3, 1936 | 26 years, 357 days | Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri | |
70 | Win | 52–11–7 | Joey Alcanter | RTD | 5 (10) | Nov 17, 1936 | 26 years, 341 days | Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri | |
69 | Win | 51–11–7 | Gene Espinoza | KO | 1 (10), 0:34 | Nov 2, 1936 | 26 years, 326 days | Eastside Arena, Los Angeles, California | |
68 | Win | 50–11–7 | Mike Belloise | PTS | 10 | Oct 27, 1936 | 26 years, 320 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | Retained world featherweight title (California–Mexico) |
67 | Win | 49–11–7 | Dommy Ganzon | KO | 1 (10), 1:54 | Sep 8, 1936 | 26 years, 271 days | Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California | |
66 | Win | 48–11–7 | Elmer "Buzz" Brown | PTS | 10 | Sep 3, 1936 | 26 years, 266 days | Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon | |
65 | Win | 47–11–7 | Juan Zurita | KO | 4 (10), 2:10 | Aug 18, 1936 | 26 years, 250 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
64 | Win | 46–11–7 | Baby Arizmendi | PTS | 10 | Aug 4, 1936 | 26 years, 236 days | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California | Won world featherweight title (California-Mexico) |
63 | Win | 45–11–7 | Johnny DeFoe | PTS | 10 | Jun 22, 1936 | 26 years, 193 days | Fox Theatre, Butte, Montana | |
62 | Win | 44–11–7 | Bobby Leyvas | TKO | 4 (10), 0:40 | May 19, 1936 | 26 years, 159 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | Retained USA California State featherweight title |
61 | Win | 43–11–7 | Richie Fontaine | PTS | 10 | Mar 31, 1936 | 26 years, 110 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
60 | Loss | 42–11–7 | Richie Fontaine | PTS | 10 | Feb 26, 1936 | 26 years, 76 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
59 | Loss | 42–10–7 | Joe Conde | PTS | 10 | Jan 1, 1936 | 26 years, 20 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City | |
58 | Win | 42–9–7 | Alton Black | TKO | 8 (15) | Dec 6, 1935 | 25 years, 359 days | Chestnut St. Arena, Reno, Nevada | Retained Western featherweight title |
57 | Win | 41–9–7 | Midget Wolgast | PTS | 10 | Nov 27, 1935 | 25 years, 350 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
56 | Win | 40–9–7 | Leo Lomelli | TKO | 6 (8) | Nov 12, 1935 | 25 years, 335 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
55 | Win | 39–9–7 | Lester Marston | TKO | 7 (10) | Oct 21, 1935 | 25 years, 313 days | Auditorium, Oakland, California | |
54 | Draw | 38–9–7 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 8 | Sep 18, 1935 | 25 years, 280 days | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
53 | Win | 38–9–6 | Alton Black | TKO | 8 (10) | Sep 13, 1935 | 25 years, 275 days | Chestnut St. Arena, Reno, Nevada | Won Western featherweight title |
52 | Win | 37–9–6 | Varias Milling | PTS | 10 | Jun 25, 1935 | 25 years, 195 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
51 | Win | 36–9–6 | Davey Abad | PTS | 10 | May 28, 1935 | 25 years, 167 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
50 | Win | 35–9–6 | Mark Diaz | PTS | 8 | May 10, 1935 | 25 years, 149 days | Ventura A.C., Ventura, California | |
49 | Win | 34–9–6 | Frankie Covelli | PTS | 8 | Apr 16, 1935 | 25 years, 125 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
48 | Win | 33–9–6 | Tully Corvo | TKO | 5 (10) | Apr 6, 1935 | 25 years, 115 days | L Street Arena, Sacramento, California | |
47 | Loss | 32–9–6 | Davey Abad | PTS | 10 | Mar 31, 1935 | 25 years, 109 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City | |
46 | Win | 32–8–6 | Sal Hernandez | TKO | 2 (10), 2:57 | Mar 19, 1935 | 25 years, 97 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
45 | Loss | 31–8–6 | Rodolfo Casanova | DQ | 5 (10) | Feb 16, 1935 | 25 years, 66 days | Arena Nacional, Mexico City | |
44 | Loss | 31–7–6 | Baby Arizmendi | UD | 12 | Jan 1, 1935 | 25 years, 20 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City | |
43 | Win | 31–6–6 | Ventura Arana | TKO | 5 (10) | Dec 15, 1934 | 25 years, 3 days | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City | |
42 | Win | 30–6–6 | Joe Conde | TKO | 7 (10) | Dec 1, 1934 | 24 years, 354 days | Arena Nacional, Mexico City | |
41 | Loss | 29–6–6 | Baby Arizmendi | PTS | 10 | Nov 4, 1934 | 24 years, 327 days | Arena Nacional, Mexico City | |
40 | Win | 29–5–6 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 8 | Sep 28, 1934 | 24 years, 290 days | Ventura A.C., Ventura, California | |
39 | Win | 28–5–6 | Max Tarley | KO | 3 (10) | Sep 13, 1934 | 24 years, 275 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
38 | Win | 27–5–6 | Joe Sanchez | TKO | 4 (8) | Sep 7, 1934 | 24 years, 269 days | Ventura A.C., Ventura, California | |
37 | Win | 26–5–6 | Perfecto Lopez | TKO | 5 (6) | Aug 28, 1934 | 24 years, 259 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
36 | Win | 25–5–6 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 6 | Jul 17, 1934 | 24 years, 187 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
35 | Win | 24–5–6 | Davey Abad | PTS | 10 | Jun 14, 1934 | 24 years, 184 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
34 | Win | 23–5–6 | Vicente Torres | PTS | 4 | Jun 5, 1934 | 24 years, 175 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
33 | Win | 22–5–6 | Johnny DeFoe | TKO | 6 (6), 2:10 | May 22, 1934 | 24 years, 161 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
32 | Draw | 21–5–6 | Young Danny | PTS | 10 | May 4, 1934 | 24 years, 143 days | Civic Auditorium, Watsonville, California | |
31 | Win | 21–5–5 | Young Danny | KO | 1 (4) | Mar 27, 1934 | 24 years, 105 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
30 | Win | 20–5–5 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 8 | Mar 6, 1934 | 24 years, 84 days | Bakersfield Arena, Bakersfield, California | |
29 | Win | 19–5–5 | Benny Pelz | PTS | 6 | Feb 13, 1934 | 24 years, 63 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
28 | Win | 18–5–5 | Baby Manuel | PTS | 10 | Jan 26, 1934 | 24 years, 45 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
27 | Win | 17–5–5 | Gene Espinoza | TKO | 7 (10) | Dec 14, 1933 | 24 years, 2 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
26 | Draw | 16–5–5 | Kid Moro | PTS | 10 | Nov 23, 1933 | 23 years, 346 days | Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California | |
25 | Win | 16–5–4 | Kid Moro | PTS | 10 | Nov 3, 1933 | 23 years, 326 days | Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California | |
24 | Win | 15–5–4 | Johnny Granone | TKO | 6 (6) | Oct 19, 1933 | 23 years, 311 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
23 | Draw | 14–5–4 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 4 | Oct 11, 1933 | 23 years, 303 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
22 | Draw | 14–5–3 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 4 | Sep 5, 1933 | 23 years, 267 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
21 | Draw | 14–5–2 | Hoyt Jones | PTS | 4 | Aug 30, 1933 | 23 years, 261 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
20 | Win | 14–5–1 | Bobby Calmes | KO | 5 (6) | Aug 8, 1933 | 23 years, 239 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
19 | Win | 13–5–1 | Benny Pelz | PTS | 4 | Jul 29, 1933 | 23 years, 229 days | Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California | |
18 | Loss | 12–5–1 | Baby Manuel | PTS | 6 | Jul 11, 1933 | 23 years, 211 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
17 | Win | 12–4–1 | George Haberski | PTS | 4 | Jun 28, 1933 | 23 years, 198 days | Wilmington Bowl, Wilmington, California | |
16 | Win | 11–4–1 | Ricky Hall | KO | 3 (4) | Jun 7, 1933 | 23 years, 177 days | Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California | |
15 | Draw | 10–4–1 | Max Tarley | PTS | 6 | May 31, 1933 | 23 years, 170 days | Pico Arena, Los Angeles, California | |
14 | Win | 10–4 | Young Bud Taylor | KO | 2 (4) | May 24, 1933 | 23 years, 163 days | Pico Arena, Los Angeles, California | |
13 | Win | 9–4 | Perfecto Lopez | PTS | 6 | Apr 28, 1933 | 23 years, 137 days | Ventura A.C., Ventura, California | |
12 | Win | 8–4 | Paul Wangley | KO | 4 (4) | Mar 21, 1933 | 23 years, 99 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
11 | Win | 7–4 | George Dundee | PTS | 6 | Feb 17, 1933 | 23 years, 67 days | Ventura A.C., Ventura, California | |
10 | Win | 6–4 | Johnny Ryan | PTS | 6 | Feb 3, 1933 | 23 years, 53 days | Ventura A.C., Ventura, California | |
9 | Win | 5–4 | Young Corpuz | PTS | 4 | Dec 31, 1932 | 23 years, 19 days | Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California | |
8 | Win | 4–4 | Gene Espinoza | PTS | 4 | Dec 13, 1932 | 23 years, 1 day | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
7 | Win | 3–4 | Vince Trujillo | KO | 2 (?) | Dec 1, 1932 | 22 years, 355 days | Los Angeles, California | |
6 | Win | 2–4 | Max Tarley | PTS | 4 | Oct 1, 1932 | 22 years, 294 days | Los Angeles, California | |
5 | Loss | 1–4 | Al Greenfield | PTS | 4 | Sep 27, 1932 | 22 years, 290 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
4 | Loss | 1–3 | Eddie Trujillo | PTS | 4 | Aug 30, 1932 | 22 years, 262 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California | |
3 | Loss | 1–2 | Victor Kid Ponce | PTS | 4 | Dec 7, 1931 | 21 years, 360 days | Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California | |
2 | Win | 1–1 | Sammy Burns | PTS | 6 | Jul 31, 1931 | 21 years, 231 days | Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania | |
1 | Loss | 0–1 | Al Lovino | KO | 3 (4), 2:27 | Jul 27, 1931 | 21 years, 227 days | Meyers Bowl, North Braddock, Pennsylvania | |
See also
References
- ↑ "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive". BoxRec. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- 1 2 Andrew Eisele. "Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years". About.com Sports. Archived from the original on 2017-01-08. Retrieved 2016-07-15.
- ↑ "The Greatest Boxer of All Time - Henry Armstrong, Says Teddy Atlas - Here's Why He's the GOAT". YouTube.
- 1 2 Mulvaney, Kieran (11 May 2007). "All-Time Greatest Boxers". ESPN. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
- ↑ "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees". UPI.
- ↑ "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Pound For Pound Results" (PDF). International Boxing Research Organization. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Featherweight Ratings" (PDF). International Boxing Research Organization. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Welterweight Ratings" (PDF). International Boxing Research Organization. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ↑ "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Lightweight Ratings" (PDF). International Boxing Research Organization. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 St. Louis Walk of Fame. "St. Louis Walk of Fame Inductees". stlouiswalkoffame.org. Archived from the original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 "BoxRec: Henry Armstrong". Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- 1 2 Ryan, James. "Boxer Henry Armstrong dead at 75". UPI. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- 1 2 Grasso, John (2014). Historical Dictionary of Boxing. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-0810878679.
- ↑ Armstrong Family (2009). "Biography of Henry Armstrong". Official Henry Armstrong website. Archived from the original on 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
- ↑ "Henry Armstrong: Goes for Four Divisions". BoxingScene.com. 26 February 2008.
- ↑ "Ceferino Garcia vs. Henry Armstrong (2nd meeting) – BoxRec".
- ↑ Haygood, Wil (2011). Sweet thunder the life and times of Sugar Ray Robinson. Chicago: Lawrence Hill Books. p. 114. ISBN 978-1569768648.
External links
External images | |
---|---|
Armstrong, seated, posing with a title belt (undated) | |
Armstrong boarding an airplane (undated) |
- Boxing record for Henry Armstrong from BoxRec (registration required)
- The story of his life is retold in the 1949 radio drama "The Saga of Melody Jackson", a presentation from Destination Freedom, written by Richard Durham
- The Official Henry Armstrong Web Site Archived 2020-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Henry Armstrong Foundation Web Site
- Biographical sketch for Henry Armstrong on the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) web site
- Henry Armstrong at Find a Grave
- National Boxing Association's Quarterly Ratings: 1938 – BoxRec
- National Boxing Association's Quarterly Ratings: 1939 – BoxRec
- National Boxing Association's Quarterly Ratings: 1940 – BoxRec
- The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: Lightweight--1930s – BoxRec
- NYSAC World Lightweight Title (Boxing)
- NYSAC World Welterweight Title (Boxing)