Henry Armstrong's welter title reign

[MMJoe]

1939 he had 11 successful welter title defenses and one lightweight unsuccessful title defense. What type of boxing politics prevailed at the time to where he could line up 12 title fights in one year? Could he litterly pick-n-chose who he wanted to fight?


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[Vulgar Display Of Power]

Remember Joe Louis' "Bum Of The Month" show?

[Joe E]

One word, Amazing.

[MMJoe]

Originally Posted by Vulgar Display Of Power

Remember Joe Louis' "Bum Of The Month" show?

Not to disrespect Armstong who was a certified killing machine, but this amount of defenses in one year begs the question of a bum of the month club that makes Louis' B.O.M. club opponents look like hall of famers.

[blacktopbully]

all part of that "old destroys new" mentality

[PowerPuncher]

Originally Posted by MMJoe

1939 he had 11 successful welter title defenses and one lightweight unsuccessful title defense. What type of boxing politics prevailed at the time to where he could line up 12 title fights in one year?

His best contenders at WW were probably Charles Burley, Cocoa Kid, Holman Williams and Zivic. I think back then you could defend the title against who you pleased. There were some decent names, but he didn't defend against the best imo, not that he wouldn't have but his management steered him clear of Burley

[MMJoe]

Originally Posted by PowerPuncher

His best contenders at WW were probably Charles Burley, Cocoa Kid, Holman Williams and Zivic. I think back then you could defend the title against who you pleased. There were some decent names, but he didn't defend against the best imo, not that he wouldn't have but his management steered him clear of Burley

Well, Armstrong was in good company of elites who avoided Burley. Too bad Burley couldn't catch a break, too good for his own good.