H. Armstrong jumped two weight classes to defeat WW Champ Ross

Hank is insane. If someone was doing similar stuff now i think we'd be hearing calls for the GOAT.

 

Given that Armstrong weighed inside the lightweight limit for many of his fights, is there an argument to call him the greatest lightweight of all time? Yet he rarely makes anywhere near the top of the list as his championship reign was victory over Lou Ambers followed by defeat to Ambers so he can't compare with Gans, Leonard or Duran (or many others) in terms of championship dominance. But in terms of actual fights where he weighed at or under 135 pounds, he must be at least one of the greatest in that division's history.

 

The only weak comparison point for Armstrong against other all-time greats is his lack of longevity but he accomplished more in three years than almost any other fighter ever has over an entire career.

 

He had more fights in three years than Floyd had in his career

 

True and true. The Ring rated him #2 in their best fighters of the last 80 years article. That's a wow considering as you said he did most of his best stuff inside 3 years title wise.

 

I think the calls for that are quote loud even now.

Yeah, he had a GOAT-qualifying career inside three years. Ignoring all other achievements, the number of fights against quality opposition and long undefeated run in those three years is just mindblowing.

 

Absolutely. With Armstrong i think you start in the top 5 and then work him lower from there. Be hard to have him anywhere but inside it, well inside it.

 

He ducked a few guys too.

 

Well, he did not fight some guys he could have. Given the number of fights and the names he fought I have a hard time calling that ducking.

 

He should have defended against Cocoa Kid,Ross ducked him and so did Armstrong,Armstrong was offered $5000 for a non title fight in Baltimore he refused,he was offered$10,000 for a title fight inNY ,he refused ,he was offered $15,OOO for a title shot in Washington, he refused. The NBA aanounced they would force Armstrong to fight the winner of the Cocoa Kid Phil Furr fight recognizing it as a final eliminator to a title chance. Cocoa Kid beat the p*ss out of Furr,who did Armstrong defend against? Phil Furr. The Maryland commission withdrew recognition of Armstrong as champion ,saying."If Armstrong intends to limit his fights to second and third raters there is no reason for Maryland to recognize him".They then announced they would recognize a fight between Kid and Izzy Jannazzo as being for the World Welterweight Championship. Two others ranked prominently in the top ten were Charley Burley and Holman Williams, Burley had lost a very close decision to Fritzie Zivic and then beaten him handily twice ,who got the title shot at Armstrong?Zivic.

 

Interesting stuff.

 

Fair enough. You know what reasons were given for these cases?

 

Too big a risk.Springs Toledo's " Murderers Row," has all the inside stuff on these guys.Highly recommended!