BOXING HISTORY – HENRY ARMSTRONG (152-22-9)

Henry Armstrong (1912-1988), also known as ‘Homocide Hank’, was the first ever fighter to hold World Championships in 3 different weights at the same time; winning titles at Featherweight, Lightweight and Welterweight.

Born Henry Jackson in December 1912, in Columbus, Mississippi, he was the 11th of 15 children. At the age of 4, the family moved to St. Louis. His mother died a year later from TB and so he was raised by his grandmother. As a youngster, due to his small stature, he often found himself a target for trouble at school and was regularly in neighbourhood street fights. It was this that lead to Henry’s interest in boxing.

Armstrong had a prolific amateur career, fighting in the unpaid ranks from 1923 to 1929 under the name of Melody Jackson. He quit his job working for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad, figuring he could make his fortune fighting for pay. Astonishingly, Henry started his career on July 28th, 1931 with a loss. Ill prepared and malnourished, he lost his first bout via 3rd round KO. He would then go on to lose 4 of his first 5 bouts before embarking on an 12 fight winning streak.

In 1937 after winning all 22 of his bouts that year, Henry was given his shot at the Featherweight world title, knocking champion Petey Sarro out in 6 rounds and claimed The Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Year’ award.

1938 would see him complete one of the longest knockout streaks in history (at the time), with 27 straight KO’s. Still Featherweight champion of the world, Henry moved up to Welterweight to challenge Barney Ross for his Welterweight championship, winning by unanimous decision. Three months later he would move down to Lightweight. He captured the Lightweight world championship beating Lou Ambers via split decision over 15 rounds, and with that, became the first fighter ever to hold world championships in 3 divisions at the same time. This great feat was even more unique when taking into account there was only 8 weight divisions back then.

The Mississippi native would relinquish his Featherweight crown and lost his Lightweight world championship in a rematch with Ambers by a close split decision. He then turned his focus to the Welterweight division, defending his title a record 18 times. He retired from boxing in 1945 with a record of 152 wins, 101 via KO, 21 loses and 9 draws.

Regarded by legendary boxing historian Bert Sugar and the Ring Magazine as the 2nd greatest fighter of all time, behind Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Armstrong wrote his autobiography in 1956 called Gloves, Glory & God.
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