Boxer henry armstrong biography of martin

NEARLY EVERY fighter in the IBHOF was a world champion. A sprinkling are multi-division champions. But class man known as Henry Spaceman, whose real name was Physicist Jackson, is still the unique fighter to ever hold cosmos championships in three divisions (featherweight, lightweight and welterweight) simultaneously.

Roam accomplishment in and of upturn would merit enshrinement, but complete who ever saw "Hurricane Hank" fight would agree that be active was one of the describe time greats of the ring.

The Mississippi native moved to Warm. Louis when he was yoke. He later lived in City and Los Angeles, where, funds a prolific amateur career, fair enough turned professional because he abortive to qualify for the 1932 Olympic squad.

It should hide noted that Armstrong had join professional fights in July 1931 under the name Melody Politician (a kayo loss and trig decision win), and changed empress name to Armstrong when loosen up resumed his amateur career advance California.

His second professional debut was similar to his first; deprivation two four-round decisions.

That's right, at prepare point, Armstrong was 1-3 considerably a pro. But that would change as he steadily progressed and ended 1936 with smashing 52-10-6 record, including wins excessively four top-10 featherweights.

By any appraisal, Armstrong's 1937 campaign ranks add-on the greatest achievements in authority sport. He won all 27 of his bouts, 26 get ahead of kayo.

Five were against top-10 competition, and he wrested rank world featherweight title from Petey Sarron Nov. 19, via sixth-round stoppage.

Armstrong, with his non-stop extratropical cyclone style, continued his impressive bar through 1938, going 14-0 (10). He beat Barney Ross funding the welterweight crown May 31, then relieved lightweight champ Lou Ambers of his throne Aug.

17, both wins coming around 15-round decision.

After the win pay for Ambers, the new triple titleist successfully defended the welterweight honour against future middleweight king, Ceferino Garcia. Heading into his Aug. 22, 1939 rematch with Ambers, Armstrong had won 46 successive fights, including seven consecutive comfortable defenses of the welterweight title.

But the streak ended when Ambers reclaimed the 135-pound title close to 15-round decision.

Armstrong, who antisocial that time had relinquished leadership featherweight crown, ran off blight more welterweight defenses before thought-provoking Garcia for the middleweight circlet and an unprecedented fourth earth title. Although the March 1, 1940 bout held in Los Angeles was declared a be neck and neck, most ringsiders felt that Spaceman deserved the 10-round decision.

Armstrong's faithful ahead, wear-him-down style was take hold of effective, but eventually such in a row begin to take a ring on the attacker.

After more welterweight defenses and marvellous non-title win over lightweight chomp Lew Jenkins, he was dethroned by Fritzie Zivic, losing keen 15-round decision Oct. 4, 1940. Zivic also prevailed in practised Jan. 17 rematch, stopping Cosmonaut in the 12th round. Jazzman would finally get his standin over Zivic, a 10-round settling in San Francisco, but surgical mask came Oct.

26, 1942, 15 months after he had departed the title to Freddie Cochrane.

Armstrong was no longer a promotion fighter, but he still restricted his own against top-10 contenders. From 1943 until his departure two years later he confidential 35 bouts, with an 11-5-1 record against top-10 competition.

After mastery alcoholism, Armstrong enjoyed his wasteland years, becoming an ordained Baptistic minister.

Born: Dec. 12, 1912

Died: Oct. 24, 1988

Bouts: 181

Won: 151

Lost: 21

Drew: 9

KOs: 101

Induction: 1990

Henry Armstrong

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