Won the welterweight title from barney ross, when he was the featherweight champion and didn't break a sweat. Armstrong was told in the 10th by his manager eddie mead to pull his punishes, allowing barney to go the distance on his feet. Armstrong was called to beat davey day (barneys stablemate) first, to get a shot at ross. Ambers, montanzez and canzoneri all wanted to get a shot at barney, but, they had to beat day to do it, davey was barneys policemen from 1933 -1938. Which, prevented day from becoming the champion. Joe jacobs manager of champion max schmeling, wanted to buy days contract from pian & winch for $7,500 in 1934, telling them you can't do davey any good as barney was the lightweight champion. Day fought armstrong for welterweight title in 1939 and both were lightweights. The ref stopped the fight in the 12th rd. Awarding hank a tko. Looked at henrys bloody face and said "you can rest now" in wonderment were he got his stamina from, reported he throw 2000 punches in 12 rounds. They had to help armstrong out of the ring still wearing his crown. Day left him with some souvenirs, gashed left eye (4 stitches) broken right hand, badly bruised right hand, cut lips and left side of his face looked like raw meat.
Pian & winch offered armstrong $35,000 for a rematch, and he turned it down. Ambers was also offered $35,000 to fight davey, and he also passed.there are some original pic and exhibit card on ebay (now) seller is- goldstarstamps. Have a look. That's all. Caio.
Yeah, he's one of those guys that if you say he's GOAT, people don't really argue against him.
It's basically him, SRR, Greb, Pep, Duran, and a few others that nobody can deny. I'd put Ali & Louis in there too.
Armstrong, did not have a powerful punch, he just hit often and never stopped. This was witnessed when he fought Ross who was wide open and didn't knock him out. When he fought Davey Day, he couldn't do that either, meaning No KO. The referee stop the fight to prevent Armstrong from losing. Day was rising with 12 seconds left in the 12th Rd and the ref. check his count at 3 in stopping fight. Armstrong was a Great fighter, but he known for low blows and hitting with his elbows. He hit Day several low blows and it wasn't his punches that closed Daveys eyes. It was his looping punches, that missed and hitting with his elbows. Henry went abroad to fight Ernie Roderick in London, guaranteed $45,000. His manager Eddie Mead demanded that that they use 3 times the limit of gauze on both hands or he won't fight. He got his wish. Armstrong was a well spoken Gentlemen and intelligent. Check out Ebay on Davey Day vintage pictures with lots of info and exhibit card. seller is GOLDSTARSTAMPS. OR SEARCH UNDER - HENRY ARMSTRONG VS. DAVEY DAY. Cheers.