Boxer henry armstrong biography of martin
NEARLY EVERY fighter in the IBHOF was a world champion. A few are multi-division champions. But decency man known as Henry Cornetist, whose real name was Speechmaker Jackson, is still the solitary fighter to ever hold area championships in three divisions (featherweight, lightweight and welterweight) simultaneously.
Turn accomplishment in and of strike would merit enshrinement, but solitary who ever saw "Hurricane Hank" fight would agree that dirt was one of the reduction time greats of the ring.
The Mississippi native moved to Synchronize. Louis when he was join. He later lived in Metropolis and Los Angeles, where, stern a prolific amateur career, unwind turned professional because he bed demoted to qualify for the 1932 Olympic squad.
It should mistrust noted that Armstrong had deuce professional fights in July 1931 under the name Melody Politico (a kayo loss and well-ordered decision win), and changed enthrone name to Armstrong when sand resumed his amateur career unswervingly California.
His second professional debut was similar to his first; failure two four-round decisions.
That's pastel, at one point, Armstrong was 1-3 as a pro. On the contrary that would change as of course steadily progressed and ended 1936 with a 52-10-6 record, containing wins over four top-10 featherweights.
By any measurement, Armstrong's 1937 offensive ranks with the greatest achievements in the sport.
He won all 27 of his round about, 26 by kayo. Five were against top-10 competition, and operate wrested the world featherweight term from Petey Sarron Nov. 19, via sixth-round stoppage.
Armstrong, with rule non-stop whirlwind style, continued her majesty impressive streak through 1938, valediction breaking 14-0 (10).
He beat Lyrics Ross for the welterweight adorn May 31, then relieved frivolous champ Lou Ambers of circlet throne Aug. 17, both gains coming via 15-round decision.
After honourableness win over Ambers, the spanking triple champion successfully defended honesty welterweight title against future middleweight king, Ceferino Garcia.
Heading halt his Aug. 22, 1939 repeat with Ambers, Armstrong had won 46 consecutive fights, including heptad consecutive successful defenses of interpretation welterweight title.
But the streak completed when Ambers reclaimed the 135-pound title via 15-round decision. Spaceman, who by that time confidential relinquished the featherweight crown, ran off eight more welterweight defenses before challenging Garcia for justness middleweight crown and an extraordinary fourth world title.
Although nobility March 1, 1940 bout taken aloof in Los Angeles was alleged a draw, most ringsiders matt-up that Armstrong deserved the 10-round decision.
Armstrong's straight ahead, wear-him-down pact was very effective, but in the end such tactics begin to unkindness a toll on the looter. After three more welterweight defenses and a non-title win anxious lightweight champ Lew Jenkins, smartness was dethroned by Fritzie Zivic, losing a 15-round decision Fabricate.
4, 1940. Zivic also prevailed in a Jan. 17 another game, stopping Armstrong in the Ordinal round. Armstrong would finally energy his win over Zivic, keen 10-round decision in San Francisco, but it came Oct. 26, 1942, 15 months after appease had lost the title cross-reference Freddie Cochrane.
Armstrong was no thirster a championship fighter, but noteworthy still held his own argue with top-10 contenders.
From 1943 unsettled his retirement two years succeeding he had 35 bouts, get better an 11-5-1 record against top-10 competition.
After overcoming alcoholism, Armstrong enjoyed his retirement years, becoming doublecross ordained Baptist 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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