Hammerin' Hank

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by fists of fury, Dec 9, 2015.

  1. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not one of the more talked-about greats on here. Why not?
     
  2. Rafaman

    Rafaman Active Member Full Member

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    Armstrong seems to be a consensus Top 3 P4P of all time fighter as well as Top 1-2 pressure fighters of all time.

    Whilst he has that respect there aren't many well known tales of his exploits outside the ring. I'm not sure why but there is little information about who he was as a person. I cant recall an autobiographical book of him despite his massive achievements. We all know him as a great fighter but there are no accompanying stories to spark great interest. When he is spoken on this forum is mostly from a pure technical aspect because we don't know enough about the man behind the fighter. Pure technical talk doesn't hold people's attention for too long.

    Monzon was shy and quiet to the public but he had the wild lifestyle and the controversy that surrounded it making him an interesting figure to speak about. With Armstong there seems little to go on. Although I'm sure there are plenty of interesting tales from his life its a pity they are not widely circulated.
     
  3. kingfisher3

    kingfisher3 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    he had a reasonably interesting story, i think he doesn't get talked about as much as others because there aren't any histrical controversies for people to argue about.

    the bare bones version; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IntywvgmwYc
     
  4. Nighttrain

    Nighttrain 'BOUT IT 'BOUT IT Full Member

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    He never had 50 home runs in any one season.
     
  5. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Had he played his prime in a decent hitters park I am fairly certain he would have. Instead he played in a pitchers park.

    Of course in the second half of his career he played in a launching pad so he it looks like he never aged.
     
  6. Nighttrain

    Nighttrain 'BOUT IT 'BOUT IT Full Member

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    Frankly, I think he is underated because of where he played and he was overshadowed by his more charasmatic contemporaries Mantle and Mays.
     
  7. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    So true. Aaron would hit .300 with 30 home runs and 100 rbi every year it seemed. But unlike some other guys with that sort of mind numbing consistency Aaron wasn't just good every year, he was great. He had 7 years in the top of 3 of mvp; a perennial all star; won some gold gloves. Plus he could steal bases.

    Aaron is the Musial of his generation (Musial being overshadowed by DiMaggio and Williams).
     
  8. Nighttrain

    Nighttrain 'BOUT IT 'BOUT IT Full Member

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    Nice ****ogy. I have heard he was amazing in the field. I only remember as aging DH at the end of his career. Unfortunately, because that also correlates with when broke and set the record that people began affording him his due.
     
  9. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ok! Enough of that! :lol:

    I dunno how you Yanks can watch that turgid sport, but ok.
     
  10. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Please like cricket is any better. They're both from a time before television.
     
  11. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Cricket (limited overs) is a hell of a lot of fun to watch. I know it's a cultural thing though. All is good. :good
     
  12. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    So true. Although I imagine from an outside perspective both are too complex to grasp as immediate fans.

    Which is why boxing is best. Rules: you punch each other. Yay boxing.
     
  13. latineg

    latineg user of dude wipes Full Member

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    Good call on Henry Armstrong.

    My papi used to tell me what a wizard he was in the ring :bbb
     
  14. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Henry Armstrong was great because of what he DID in the ring. Not the B.S. he did out of the ring..I saw Armstrong twice ringside, in the twilight of his career losing decisions to Ray Robinson and Beau Jack...In his prime he was amazing holding 3 titles at the same time...In my eyes Henry was the best featherweight of modern times at 126 pounds...
     
  15. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Honestly I'm not sure you've ever actually seen a boxing match.

    Joe Frazier had one arm. Literally. Just a stump.