LIGHTWEIGHT TOURNAMENT SEMI FINAL- Pernell Whitaker vs Henry Armstrong

I agree that Armstrong had all the necessary attributes, footspeed aside. Whitaker was one of the best ever at fighting effectively off the backfoot. While I could certainly see Armstrong giving Pea troubles down the stretch with his herky jerky bob and weave style and relentless workrate, I think Pea would take enough of the early rounds and fare well enough in the later rounds to take a close decision.

Pea's inside skills and mental toughness are what allow win him this fight. Obviously not to say that Armstrong didn't have those qualities in spades, but I believe Whitaker is more capabale of coping on the inside in stretches than Armstrong is capable of hanging on the outside.

Over 12 rounds, Pernell something like 8-4. Over 15 I'd say 9-6, possibly 8-7. This is one that realistically would've come down to the judges, which rarely worked out for Pea.

 

For the most part he wasnt carrying that power up to LW-WW, ie KO'ing the top LWs-WWs, given most were likely accumulation and we can rule out anyone landing a load of shots on Whitaker, his ability to hurt Whitaker isn't likely to be too significant

 

With the amount of punches Armstrong throws Whitaker is bound to get hit at some point in the fight. However I don't expect Whitaker to stand in front of Armstrong to let him him take advantage of his work rate. I see Whitaker picking his spots, countering and getting out of the way.
I think the Judges will be impresed by two things 1. Armstrong's Work rate and atempt to press the fight 2. Whitaker's fight when he choses to engage.
In the end I think Whitaker's defense will win out over Armstrong's offense.
Whitaker 8-7 or 9-6.

 

Don't forget how close the Azumah Nelson fight was scored by two judges, not to mention the first Ramirez and the Chavez fight. In reality Armstrong's relentless pressure would be a big factor since the judges did not seem to appreciate Whitaker's style.

However in a perfect world with the judges scoring without bias, I would find this incredibly hard to pick. 15 rounds I favour Armstrong, 12 rounds I favour Whitaker. I actually think that Whitaker may have thrown more volume, his punch stats are among the highest in CompuBox history.

Might as well discount my pick, these are just some of my thoughts.

 

I think Whitaker's talent and technique serve him well, but over time Hank's unrelenting ferocity gradually wears Pea down. I think either man can take it by decision in 12, but over 15 I think Armstrong takes it by UD or possibly late stoppage.

 

Im going with Pea..I have pretty much made my mind up regarding this fight over the years and not a hell of a lot is going to change it unless more film of Hank comes up.

Pea's excellent skills and backfoot game aside..He was also a damn fine inside fighter, who certainly was not apprehensive about throwing a decent volume of leather himself once he got some experience in pro ring under his belt.

I totally agree that realistically the judges will play a pretty big part in this because Pea did often get the rough end of the stick in this regard.

In a ideal world I see Whitaker taking it by a few points..Any time he wants a rest Armstrong will be there all over him, so I see this bringing the very best out of him eventually.

 

this is kinda like jones vs robinson@160.. several versions of henry where unreal..at 135 sweetpea in a very close fight.

 

I can't think of a fight this is more different too. Strange comparison

 

I'd lean towards Armstrong by close, possibly split decision. I think his workrate and aggression would be the key difference in an otherwise evenly matched and competitive fight. Also, although both fighters have done well against fighters of each other's style, I think Armstrong was somewhat more dominant/impressive against great boxers (ie: Ross) than Whitaker was vs. great pressure fighters (Chavez, Nelson).

 

I'm tentatively going to vote for Armstrong in a very very close fight. I agree with Manassa that Hank has a lot of what could possibly trouble Whitaker. Armstrong's one of very few fighters in history i think could cut it with him at 135.

 

Armstrong by split decision,after the halfway stage Pea has a slight advantage due to his footwork and countering skills,Armstrong' s face is marked up around the eyes ,but he continually bores in to Pea working his body,from rounds 11 to 15 Armstrong's super human stamina and volume punching attack begin to dominate, in the last two rounds Whitaker is holding on looking to survive.

 

Armstrong W15 Whitaker.

I think his bob & weave getting inside + his pressure & punch output while there would leave Whitaker with very little time for effective offence, I dont think he can earn Armstrong`s respect with his punch & I see him being made to fight about 75% of the time inside where Armstrong will outwork him.

 

Duran and Hank are the only fighters I would even consider to win as many as they would lose against Pea.

However, I think Duran was better technically, though not as relentless as Hank.

Missing punches drains you way more than landing punches and I think that Pea would make Hank miss a lot. And when Hank did land, Pea would be able to handle it because he had a great chin. Pea's power is also underrated, he kept a lot of fighters at bay with his surprising power and he had one punch knockouts as high as 147.

I like Pea to actually use Hank's aggression against him and win this one by withstanding the early pressure, slipping a lot of wild punches and turning it on midway through the bout. 8-6-1

 

good post