Heavyweight contender Clarence Henry, 6'1" around 185lbs,he has wins over Baker Agramonte Bivins Satterfiled Thompson Holman Yet never got a title shot.How good was he?
Clarence Henry was once described to me by the late John Garfield(RIP) as an "Electrifying puncher with both hands. Lightning like explosive." "Woosh!....what a puncher!!!"- Pittsburgh Heavyweight Bob Baker regarding Clarence Henry at the post fight press conference in 1951. Clarence Henry was one of the biggest hitters of the era. At his peak(which didn't last very long), the New York times rated him "On par with Walcott, Marciano, and Charles." Henry had a wicked left hook, that could end a fight at any moment. His right hand packed a punch too. He had very long arms for his size, and was an aggressive fighter with endless stamina, and sharp reflexes. He was very difficult to defeat going toe to toe with. Marciano vs Henry would have been a fight of the decade candidate if it took place in 1951-1952, a guaranteed war. Marciano would have come out on top, but the fans would have been the winners. Henry vs Baker in 1951 was considered a matchup between two of the more promising young heavyweight contenders in the division, both rated in the top 5. Baker was undefeated, and was being compared to Joe Louis by some writers. Baker was ahead on points in the 7th round, when Henry landed a left hook which froze Baker. Henry followed it up with a lethal combination and baker fell through the ropes out cold. This win moved Henry up to # 3 rated heavyweight in the world. Later, Henry took on Satterfield. Satterfield floored Henry in the first few seconds of the fight with a right hand. Henry got up, and proceeded to trade vicious blows with satterfield in the center of the ring. Believe it or not, Henry hit harder than Satterfield and it showed in their exchanges. Henry got the better of it, and satterfield began to lose interest. Satterfield motioned to move back toward long range. Henry exploded with a leaping left hook which landed flush on Satterfields Jaw. Satterfield dropped like he had been shot with an elephant gun. Out Cold. Henry lost some of his prestige when he dropped a tight one to Hall of Famer Harold Johnson. A close split decision, that was razor thin to the end. It was considered a huge upset. No one knew just how great Harold Johnson was at the time. Henry made Johnson work for his victory, and showcased skills to go along with his dangerous power. He was unable to land the big punch on Johnson. Archie Moore put on one of the finest displays of his career when he picked apart Clarence Henry in 52. Moore is one of the greatest fighters of all time, and he was pretty much at the peak of his career when he took on Henry. Moore bedazzled Henry. He outboxed Henry the whole way, stunned henry on several occasions, hit him at different angles, outjabbed him, made henry miss and countered with pinpoint accuracy. An all time great performance by the Ole Mongoose. It was this fight here in which Moore permanantly damaged Henry's eye. Henry would never be the same again. He picked up a nice points victory over Bob Baker in his next fight, but that's because Baker was so scared of Henry's power he ran from Henry the whole fight, and allowed Henry to outpoint him purely on survival. Henry's eye sight continued to deteriorate and by 1954 he was fighting blind in one eye. Forget the Slade and Hurricane losses, Henry was physically washed up. It is my opinion Clarence Henry is one of the more underrated heavyweights of all time. The reason is because a lot of knowledgeable fans out there have still never heard of this guy's name. Let me tell you, Clarence Henry at his best was for real. A devastating puncher at the world class level. He was better than Bob Baker, better than Nino Valdes, better than Rex Layne, better than Roland Lastarza. Clarence Henry was the best heavyweight of the era whom Marciano didn't fight, and was a dangerous threat to Marciano based on his punching power and youth. This content is protected It breaks my heart to see Clarence Henry’s name. In the mid ‘90s, I was at an induction dinner for the California Hall of Fame. I noticed two older black men – one with dark glasses -- sitting on the aisle, midway back, making idle conversation and laughing. When the ceremony was over, and the room was emptying, the two men were the last two leave. One, an aid, (or a very close friend) helped the man in sun glasses rise, (he was clearly blind) handing him two canes, and he slowly and painfully was led out. I asked who he was. “Clarence Henry” It seemed inconceivable this frail, sightless man was the lithe, picture-punching heavy I’d seen starch Bob Baker in The Garden in the early ‘50s.
You almost get the sense that Henry was meant to be the third man of the period between Louis and Marciano, but that it did not work out like that for whatever reason.
Prior to Marciano becoming champion Jack Dempsey felt Henry was the best of a so-so lot. I think Henry did enough to rate as a top 100 heavyweight. But his career fizzled out rather quickly. What films show Henry in his prime?
From Harry Grayson, "Matthews Not Sure He's Seen Marciano, But Others Have," Muncie Evening Press, July 25, 1952: "It was Marciano who finally knocked all the fight out of Louis but the Old Brown Bomber rates the antiquated Walcott and Clarence Henry ahead of the Italiano, who hung him over the ring apron to dry, and Matthews. Joe Louis considers Henry the best prospect around, has no doubt but that he would take Marciano. "Rocky will improve a lot as he gains more experience but right now he has several weaknesses," he says.
Im gonna have to stop you there He definitely didnt hit harder than satterfield maybe his left hook hit harder it probably did but satts right hand definitely hits harder Marty marshall says bob satt hits just as hard as sonny liston,unless u find someone that fought henry and bob satt that says otherwise
As good as Clarence was and everyone will praise him which is earned it’s amazing how Archie Moore beat everyone worth noting he beat and everyone he lost to. And Clarence himself. But some will say Archie wasn’t that good at HW. It looks like 51 would have been an amazing fight between Marciano and Henry. Would have been a great fight if he fought Walcott or Charles too but it looks like he struggled against clever veteran fighters.
Dempsey actually had a piece of Henry for a while and even worked his corner. But Clarence blew hot and cold, and after one such cold outing released his share in the contract.
