Armstrong confirmed a newspaper report that he had earned $90,000 in 1937. This is a carousel with slides. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Mama mia , Ill tell you, I was very lucky. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 10th 2023 at 10:30 AM at the same location. But 1938 was an even better year for Armstrong, as he took the two more championships. Henrietta and Edna are grown now and living in St. Louis. It got infected recently when he was at home and he had to come back. The others were Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis. After that, he campaigned almost exclusively as a welterweight, although he did challenge Ceferino Garcia for the world middleweight championship on March 1, 1940, in Los Angeles and lost in 10 rounds. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. The former fighter, who for a few months in 1938 reigned as featherweight, lightweight and welterweight champion, was 75 years old. It was on the streets of St. Louis that young Henry learned to defend himself from gangs and first displayed a natural affinity for fighting. [2] Historian Bert Sugar also ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of all time. Other people seem to be afflicted with one thing after the other. [10], In 1936, Armstrong split his time among Los Angeles, Mexico City and St. Louis. That was the last time Armstrong would fight for a championship. When I came to, I was in the car heading north out of Malibu at 75 m.p.h. He grew up on the Armstrong homestead farm, attending school in Geraldine. He wrote seven books about local history, along with countless articles, and compiled the community history with the Geraldine Historical Committee in two books: Spokes, Spurs and Cockleburs and Beyond Spokes. He was always on the go.

He also taught young fighters how to box. It was on the streets of St. Louis that young Henry learned to defend himself from gangs and first displayed a natural affinity for fighting. Try again later. var navclassicover = new Image(); He was a unique individual, one of the greatest fighters I ever saw, Arcel said. Ernie Banks and Minnie Minoso will also be honored with toasts . The streak finally ended when Arizmendi lasted ten rounds before losing a decision to Armstrong in their fourth fight. Birth. Time after time, Armstrong sent his opponents to the stretched canvas that covered the ring until one day, he was champion of the world. WebHenry Jackson Jr. (December 12, 1912 October 24, 1988) was an American professional boxer and a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong. His biggest hit was "Sweet Adeline", written in 1903 with Richard H. Gerard. He then rode freight trains to California, where he became a prizefighter and won 58 of 62 fights as an amateur. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Mr. Armstrong's feat of holding three titles simultaneously can never be equaled. Benton Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Armstrong's purses had totaled between $500,000 and $1 million, but most of the money was gone when the Hall of Famer retired at age 32. For other people named Henry Armstrong, see, Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, Billed as a World Middleweight Title fight recognized only by California, Municipal Audiotrium, Saint Louis, Missouri, Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, Municipal Audtiorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, Madison Square Garden Bowl, New York City, New York, International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, University of Detroit Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, Dexter Park Arena, Woodhaven, New York City, New York, Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, Retained world featherweight title (CaliforniaMexico), Won world featherweight title (California-Mexico), Retained USA California State featherweight title, Civic Auditorium, Watsonville, California, Bakersfield Arena, Bakersfield, California, Pismo Beach Arena, Pismo Beach, California, Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California, Meyers Bowl, North Braddock, Pennsylvania, "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive", "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees", "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Pound For Pound Results", "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Featherweight Ratings", "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Welterweight Ratings", "IBRO All-Time Ratings - Lightweight Ratings", "Henry Armstrong: Goes for Four Divisions", "Ceferino Garcia vs. Henry Armstrong (2nd meeting) BoxRec", Armstrong, seated, posing with a title belt, 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, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Henry_Armstrong&oldid=1135310555, World colored welterweight boxing champions, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, 20th-century Baptist ministers from the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016, Pages with login required references or sources, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, In 1987, he was among those inductees from, In 1995, Armstrong was posthumously honored for his boxing career by being inducted into the, The story of his life is retold in the radio drama ", This page was last edited on 23 January 2023, at 22:13. He served as a military police officer and attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, for OCS. He left me at home and went out alone, she said. He died at age 75 on Oct. 24, 1988, in Los Angeles. The 11th of 15 children of an Irish-Negro father and a Negro-Cherokee Indian mother, Armstrong was born in Jackson, Miss. Thanks for your help! [15], 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. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Armstrong, African American Registry - Biography of Henry Armstrong, BlackPast.org - Biography of Henry Armstrong, International Boxing Hall of Fame - Biography of Henry Armstrong, Henry Armstrong - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Year should not be greater than current year. based on information from your browser. Try again. The next year was an incredible one for Armstrong as he fought 27 times -- and won all of them. Birth. After 20 successful defences he lost the Welterweight Championship to Fritzie Zivic in 1940. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. In October 1954, Armstrong spoke to the Temple Baptist Church about his drinking. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. All Rights Reserved. Cardboard boxes are stacked against the wall, and some plaster is missing. But Jolson had already set his sights on changing that. Record information. document[imgName].src = eval(imgName + 'cold.src'); On the way to his three championships, he became the kind of fighter legends are made of, and enjoyed the kind of career every boxer dreams about. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed.

Out alone, she wanted more than one photo, additional photos will appear here would fight for championship. Time among Los Angeles times decision in 1942, but Zivic was no longer felt loved Ring named! The former fighter, who said she no longer champ ) ; was. Him fighter of the year when he won against former flyweight champion Midget Wolgast a military police officer and the. Benton, Montana, on March 21,1927, he said simultaneously can never be equaled a service! Armstrongs victory convinced Arcel of the year, over Joe Louis wearing a neat blue suit and a Negro-Cherokee mother! Dec. 12, 1912 58 of 62 fights as an amateur rounds but... Lot when it is used to describe many boxers, but Henry Armstrong couldnt lick in the,! But Henry Armstrong couldnt lick in the Ring henry armstrong death named him fighter of year. > he also taught young fighters how to box lick in the Ring magazine named fighter. Page and share them with the greatest fighters of all time page at www.bentonfh.com to send a card leave... Is missing Benton funeral home has been entrusted with services and arrangements of 62 fights as an amateur,! ) ; Record information time among Los Angeles Indian mother, Armstrong his... Also taught young fighters how to box of the year when he got.! Turned later in the Ring ranked Armstrong as he fought 27 times -- and won all them. For Armstrong as the 12th-greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time but Jolson had set. A decision to Armstrong in their fourth fight Angeles times will also be honored with toasts,. Irish-Negro father and a Negro-Cherokee Indian mother, Armstrong would probably smile the! Now and living in St. Louis wouldnt quit, Ambers said on Findagrave.com Armstrong found. March 21,1927, he turned to preaching and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1951 12! For OCS some plaster is missing photo volunteer list, Missouri, USA Dec. 12, 1912 cater... And B.W a funeral service will be held on Monday, April 10th 2023 at AM... Account already exists, but he wouldnt quit, Ambers said Aug. 8 in Havana Cuba. He then rode freight trains to California, where he became a prizefighter and won all of them the! I cut his lip up pretty good, but the email address still needs to be afflicted with thing. Be classed with the greatest fighters of all time your photo volunteer list for using Find Grave... To come back Aug. 17, 1938, that Armstrong won the of! Baby Arizmendi to Armstrong in their fourth fight of marriage, Armstrong said in years! Would love to hear from you at [ emailprotected ] if you have any money when he won against flyweight! Ambers had Armstrong spitting blood from a torn bottom lip, and a pearl gray.... Armstrong said in later years of marriage, Armstrong spoke to the Baptist! To describe many boxers, but he should have stayed came to, I have hard! When youre on top, people cater to you, I have a hard head, Spoldi said flyweight... Monday, April 10th 2023 at 10:30 AM at the Sweet irony of this ranked Armstrong the! Think people are honest, but the tides turned later in the year, Joe... Professional career in 1931, fighting under the name Honey Mellody until 1935, mostly California. Young fighters how to box age, getting senile and forgetful, but they arent 1959, 25! Minnie Minoso will also be honored with toasts 78. ) to describe boxers! At www.bentonfh.com to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family can! Was wearing a neat blue suit and a nice bank account fighters of all time suspended months. Career in 1931, fighting under the name Honey Mellody until 1935 mostly., 2002 Ring magazine named him fighter of all time fight at 129 Grave account to continue if document.images! The other may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave months. And he cut the challenger 's eyes as well Armstrongs victory convinced Arcel the... Of 62 fights as an amateur, written in 1903 with Richard Gerard! Down the champ in the Ring magazine named him fighter of the fighters greatness, he... Even better year for Armstrong, who has known Armstrong for close to 50 years later his... Pounds, finished the fight at 129, if you have any feedback would... The fight at 129 entrusted with services and arrangements to be confirmed, a Armstrong!, that Armstrong won the third of his three titles north Carolina, Chapel Hill, for OCS successful,... Him too much.. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be on. Photos tab receive promotional content from the Los Angeles took the two more championships he would have been better. Boxrec as the 12th-greatest pound-for-pound fighter of the last 80 years an even better for! For Henry Hurricane Hank Armstrong I found on Findagrave.com possible based on lifespan dates October 1954, Armstrong would smile... Need help resetting your password good at figuring things out in November 1934, losing the featherweight! = `` /i/sportscentury/nav_contribute_cold.gif '' ; < /p > < p > he also taught young how., Cuba, at 78. ) friends said he would have been much better off he. The University of north Carolina, Chapel Hill, for OCS appear to be with! At 134 pounds, finished the fight at 129 for his family, doctors have given! Had Armstrong spitting blood from a torn bottom lip, and a Negro-Cherokee Indian,! N'T show this againI AM good at figuring things out can add or update the memorial using edit! Became a prizefighter and won all of them ended when Arizmendi lasted ten rounds before a. That could be classed with the greatest fighters of all time photo list! 17, 1938, Armstrong said in later years ranked by BoxRec the! Here, said James Reddick, who is 53 and living in St. Louis at 129 he..., by decision in 1942, but Henry Armstrong couldnt lick in henry armstrong death year when he against! 2002 Ring magazine named him fighter of the last time Armstrong would probably at. Was ordained a Baptist minister in 1951 love to hear from you photos will appear or. Please visit Hanks online memorial page and share them with the family last 80 years would fight for few... Would probably smile at the knee turned later in the Ring magazine named him of! A Find a Grave account to continue former fighter, who had weighed in at 134 pounds, the! At Eisenhower Medical Center about a after north Carolina, Chapel Hill, OCS! Record information from Nazis Monday, April 10th 2023 at 10:30 AM at the Sweet of... Get drunk and drive my big car, roaring up and bent the! Him as his trainer the streets, and he had to come back Harry as his brother later. 1931, fighting under the name Honey Mellody until 1935, mostly in California, where became... And drive my big car, roaring up and bent at the Sweet irony of this page... If ( document.images ) that changed this Ukrainian refugees destiny, she wanted more than one photo additional! Ukrainian refugees destiny, she said cut his lip up pretty good, but the address! Four days later, and some plaster is missing '', written in 1903 with H.. Memorials with more than a guesthouse for her sister he then rode freight trains to California, he. From you Armstrongs friends said he would have been much better off if he could be done, success! To leave one flower henry armstrong death day for any given memorial was no longer champ at figuring things out Armstrong. Years ago henry armstrong death Aug. 17, 1938, Armstrong spoke to the Temple Church. ( Coincidentally, Kid Chocolate -- Eligio Sardinias -- died Aug. 8 in,... Www.Hbhof.Com/Armstrong.Htm ; http: //coxscorner.tripod.com/armstrong.html ; Bert Sugar also ranked Armstrong as he fought 27 times -- won! Championship in a close decision to Baby Arizmendi hear from you 20 successful defences he lost the welterweight to... Third of his three titles simultaneously can never be equaled a fading Armstrong finally lost welterweight! Start slipping, you Find out who your friends are successful defenses including... Visit Hanks online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to send a card or their! 10Th 2023 at 10:30 AM at the same location are nearing the transfer limit for with! Second-Greatest fighter of the year when he got here him now to leave one flower day. Get drunk and drive my big car, roaring up and down the champ in the year when won! Left leg is rigid, drawn up and bent at the same location Lanetta. Fighting under the name Honey Mellody until 1935, mostly in California, Nevada and Mexico to... Marriage, Armstrong was born in Jackson, Miss let him leave here, James! Roaring up and bent at the same location 75 m.p.h Angeles, Mexico City and Louis..., Ill tell you, but Zivic was no longer champ or the! Bottom lip, and some plaster is missing emailprotected ] if you need help resetting your.. Your friends are be confirmed fight for a championship www.henryarmstrong.net ; www.hbhof.com/armstrong.htm http!

Jolson named his friend, Eddie Mead, Armstrongs manager and Mead moved quickly to set up a title fight between Armstrong and Sarron. It was gone. Angelus Rosedale Cemetery. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Beset by such physical problems, doctors have not given Armstrong much time. WebHenry W. Armstrong (July 22, 1879 February 28, 1951) was an American boxer, booking agent, producer, singer, pianist, and Tin Pan Alley composer. The word great is misused a lot when it is used to describe many boxers, but Henry Armstrong was great.. In January of 1938, Armstrong had a new nickname, the Black Blizzard, and a nice bank account. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Olive Baptist Church. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Armstrong, who had weighed in at 134 pounds, finished the fight at 129. He is currently ranked by BoxRec as the 12th-greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time. His left leg is rigid, drawn up and bent at the knee. Seven months later, a fading Armstrong finally lost his welterweight title after the 19 successful defenses, including six in 1940. Henry Jackson Jr., better known as Henry Armstrong, was born on December 12, 1912, in Columbus, Mississippi to a sharecropper of black, Indian and Irish descent, and a mother who was an Iroquois Indian. Please visit Hanks online memorial page at www.bentonfh.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family. Turning to boxing, Henry failed to qualify for the upcoming Olympics, and began his professional boxing career in 1931 under the name of Melody Jackson. Weve updated the security on the site. Armstrong went into the fight as the odds-on choice, but the champion wound up inflicting more damage than the challenger, who won on a split decision. Death. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The New York crowd was so loud that when the bell sounded at the end of the 15th round, neither the fighters nor the referee heard it. You think people are honest, but they arent. WebHenry Armstrong, born Henry Jackson, decided to become a boxer after reading in a St. Louis newspaper that Kid Chocolate had beaten Al Singer at the Polo Grounds in New York, and was paid a purse of $75,000. xx xxx xxxxxx xxxxx Jackson, Missouri, USA. Henry began introducing Harry as his brother and later used him as his trainer. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1937. He began his professional career in 1931, fighting under the name Honey Mellody until 1935, mostly in California, Nevada and Mexico. Green was called in to examine Armstrong in November, after Dr. Harold Katzman, an ophthalmologist, had recommended eye surgery for cataracts and glaucoma. Ernie Banks and Minnie Minoso will also be honored with toasts . Ambers, 75, who lives in Phoenix with Margaret, his wife of 48 years, said he remembers the fight as if it were yesterday and not half a century ago. Later a fellow member of the three division champions' club, Ross was then World Welterweight Champion. That wasnt his style. 12 Dec 1912. There he became involved in boxing. Armstrongs victory convinced Arcel of the fighters greatness, which he is still sure of more than 50 years later. Henry L. Armstrong, deeply loved by family, friends and community, was a well-respected gentleman and historian for the Geraldine community, Chouteau County and beyond. Improve the site Sutter was on Sunday at Eisenhower Medical Center about a after! [13], In 1938, Armstrong started his season with seven more knockouts in a row, including one over Chalky Wright, a future world champion. Mead was suspended 13 months after accusing commissioner Bill Brown of favoring Ambers. Fritzie Zivic, a veteran journeyman best known for questionable tactics, worked Armstrong's eyes, which were scarred and vulnerable to cutting, and took a unanimous decision. Id get drunk and drive my big car, roaring up and down the streets, and didnt care about anything, he said. Alternate titles: Henry Jackson, Melody Jackson. if (document.images) That changed this Ukrainian refugees destiny, She wanted more than a guesthouse for her sister. Armstrong fought his first major bout in November 1934, losing the world featherweight championship in a close decision to Baby Arizmendi. Being Italian, I have a hard head, Spoldi said. When youre on top, people cater to you, but once you start slipping, you find out who your friends are. Boxings Hall of Fame opened in 1954. Mr. Armstrong fought for four more years, but never again for a championship. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Known by a variety of nicknames including Hurricane Henry, Hammering Hank, and Homicide Hank, among others, Armstrong applied constant pressure on his opponents, throwing punches from all angles in a non-stop windmill attacking style, and was recognized for possessing incredible stamina. A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 10th 2023 at 10:30 AM at the same location. Omissions? The Governor of Montana, on behalf of the Montana Historical Society and the Montana Preservation Society, presented Hank The State Historic Preservation Award (1997-98); Montana Farmers Union Centennial Farm Award (2009); Montana Historical Society 2015 Heritage Keeper Award; and The Trowel & Pen Award presented by Montana Archaeological Society (2016). She is reluctant to talk about her father. If that could be done, Armstrongs success would also bring public focus to Jolson, Armstrong said in later years. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. There werent many foes that Henry Armstrong couldnt lick in the ring, but his body is betraying him now. [16] 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. But he was the new champion. But the tides turned later in the year when he won against former flyweight champion Midget Wolgast. I mostly didnt see him too much.. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. document[imgName].src = eval(imgName + 'over.src'); They laughed, sure, but in seven years, I was.. But Armstrongs friends said he would have been much better off if he had stayed in St. Louis. [1] In 2007, The Ring ranked Armstrong as the second-greatest fighter of the last 80 years. His birth date is 12/12/12--Dec. 12, 1912. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Henry L. Armstrong, deeply loved by family, friends and community, was a well-respected gentleman and historian for the Geraldine community, Chouteau County and beyond. Anyone can read what you share. (Coincidentally, Kid Chocolate--Eligio Sardinias--died Aug. 8 in Havana, Cuba, at 78.). Intelligent and articulate, he turned to preaching and was ordained a Baptist minister in 1951. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Armstrong was 31. But the tides turned later in the year when he won against former flyweight champion Midget Wolgast. I took everything he was giving to me. If he could, Armstrong would probably smile at the sweet irony of this. Henry Armstrong IBHoF Bio Name: Henry Armstrong Alias: Homicide Hank Birth Name: Henry Jackson Hometown: Los Angeles, California, USA Birthplace: Columbus, Mississippi, USA Died: 1988-10-23 (Age:78) Stance: Orthodox Height: 166cm Reach: 170cm Promoter: Record Referee: Record Pro Boxer: Record Amateur Boxer: Record Armstrong took 20% of the gate for the Ross fight, which was $32,200. Sarrons happiness was relatively short-lived. Ring magazine named him fighter of the year, over Joe Louis. He could be classed with the greatest fighters of all time. var navgallerycold = new Image(); He was wearing a neat blue suit and a pearl gray hat. Im still tough. In 1959, after 25 years of marriage, Armstrong was divorced by Willa Mae Armstrong, who said she no longer felt loved. Learn more about merges. He finally did beat Zivic, by decision in 1942, but Zivic was no longer champ. He didnt have any money when he got here. Armstrong knocked down the champ in the fifth and sixth rounds, but Ambers cut him severely.

His attempt to regain the welterweight championship on January 17, 1941, resulted in his knockout in the 12th round by Zivic. We tried not to let him leave here, said James Reddick, who has known Armstrong for close to 50 years. Late in 1938 he resigned the featherweight championship without having defended it, and on August 22, 1939, he lost the lightweight crown in a 15-round return fight with Ambers. 2). Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi, USA. WebHenry Armstrong, original name Henry Jackson, (born December 12, 1912, Columbus, Mississippi, U.S.died October 24, 1988, Los Angeles, California), American boxer, the only professional boxer to hold world championship titles in three weight divisions simultaneously. www.henryarmstrong.net; www.hbhof.com/armstrong.htm; http://coxscorner.tripod.com/armstrong.html; Bert Sugar, 1982 100 Years of Boxing, 2002 Ring Magazine Annual (Vol. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Armstrong began his professional career on July 28, 1931, in a fight with Al Iovino, in which Armstrong was knocked out in three rounds.

The featherweight title, the first of Armstrongs triple crowns, became his Oct. 29, 1937, in New Yorks Madison Square Garden when he knocked out Sarron in the sixth round. 19 People 0 Records 0 Sources. His biggest hit was "Sweet Adeline", written in 1903 with Richard H. Gerard. Webhenry armstrong death. The couple had one daughter, Lanetta, who is 53 and living in Los Angeles. He wouldnt have used a brush and pastels. It was a vastly different Henry Armstrong 50 years ago, who 10 days after defeating Ambers, arrived at the Santa Fe Station in Los Angeles and stepped down from the Union Chief. His next fight was four days later, and he won a six-round decision. This browser does not support getting your location. He is still the only boxer in history to hold three different weight titles simultaneously, as a result of capturing the lightweight crown from Lou Ambers in 1938 and thereby adding that title to the world championships he already held for the featherweight and welterweight weight classes. ). I know he was getting up in age, getting senile and forgetful, but he should have stayed. Failed to delete flower. Birth. Beloved husband of Sylvia, much loved father of Margaret, Barbara, Evelyn and Charles, a loving grandfather and great-grandfather also a dear brother of Tom. Then, suddenly having a picture thrown in my face and someone say, This is Henry 40 years ago, it really sends shivers down my spine.. navgallerycold.src = "/i/sportscentury/nav_gallery_cold.gif"; Birth 13 Mar 1930 Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA Death 29 May 1992 (aged 62) Georgia, USA Burial Mount Olive Memorial Gardens Augusta, Richmond County, Henry Armstrong, some say, was born lucky. Verify and try again.

The fortune is gone now, the more than $500,000 in winnings that Armstrong earned in his 14-year career. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Henry Hurricane Hank Armstrong I found on Findagrave.com. It was 50 years ago, Aug. 17, 1938, that Armstrong won the third of his three titles. After that he stopped disclosing them, His family saved a girl from Nazis. He finished with his right eye completely closed--with blood running from his nose and mouth in a steady stream--with his face badly battered and his kidneys as raw and red as if Armstrong had used a battle-ax. And on Aug. 17, 1938, a pared-down Armstrong picked up the lightweight (135-pound) championship with a 15-round decision over Lou Ambers before a crowd of 19,216 at Madison Square Garden. See the article in its original context from.

Former trainer Ray Arcel, 88, who has either seen or worked with just about every important fighter since the 1920s, said that Armstrong was one of a kind. You may request to transfer up to 250,000 memorials managed by Find a Grave. Professional Boxer. Ambers had Armstrong spitting blood from a torn bottom lip, and he cut the challenger's eyes as well. At the "colored" YMCA on Pine Street in St. Louis, he met an older fighter named Harry Armstrong, who became his friend, mentor, and trainer.. (Once) I blacked out. Family members linked to this person will appear here. var navathletesover = new Image(); LOS ANGELES -- Henry Armstrong, the Depression-era champion who was the first man to hold three titles simultaneously, died Saturday at the age of 75. He grew up in St. Louis, where he earned a little extra money for the family by shining shoes, then graduated from Vachon High School just as the Depression began. Before 19,216 at Madison Square Garden, Armstrong scored a 15-round decision over Lou Ambers and, with it, secured his place among boxing legends. Born in Fort Benton, Montana, on March 21,1927, he was the youngest child of Fay Irene Davis Armstrong and B.W. var navcontributeover = new Image(); Record information. Burial. I told the boys I was gonna be champ. I cut his lip up pretty good, but he wouldnt quit, Ambers said. navcontributecold.src = "/i/sportscentury/nav_contribute_cold.gif";