In August of 43', Ray Robinson defeated Henry Armstrong by a 10 round unanimous decision. Does this win get overlooked? Was Armstrong over the hill by then? In the year leading up to the fight, Armstrong had fought 20 times and only lost to Beau Jack and Willie Joyce:but, he had wins over Juan Zurita KO 2, Fritzie Zivic UD 10, Lew Jenkins TKO 8, Tippy Larkin KO 2, Sammy Angott UD 10, and avenged his loss to Willie Joyce UD 10.
The smaller, and 11 years older Hank was beaten solidly by SRR, who had suffered his first loss to Jake Lamotta a few fights earlier. 1943-08-27 : Henry Armstrong 140 lbs lost to Sugar Ray Robinson 145 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10 Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA Poster There was a crowd of 15,371 at Madison Square Garden and the gross gate was $60,789. The Associated Press scored all ten rounds for Robinson. Armstrong announced his retirement after the fight, but he returned to the ring the following year. [1] details: Armstrong:33 years old, W135, L 17, D 1 (91 KO's) Robinson: 22years old, W44, L1 (30 KO's) Both: orthodox stance Height: Arm:5′ 5½″ Rob:5′ 11″ Reach Arm: 67″ Rob: 72½″
Armstrong was probably at his absolute peak from early 1937 to about 1940. But he was still a significant opponent for Robinson to beat even in 1943. So, yes, Armstrong was definitely past his prime which is why Robinson doesn't automatically get as much credit for the win as he would have otherwise. But it is still a pretty impressive victory in my view.
Well Sugar Ray`s own account of the fight suggests it was a formality to get Armstrong a payday and not hurt his idol. Dan Parker of the Daily Mirror and Robinson had a good exchange on the subject of whether he would carry Armstrong out of respect.
From what I've been told Armstrong was pretty shot, and Robinson just did it as a favour to give his hero a payday, pretty much carried him too.
He was past his prime, but still able to defeat three hall famers (Jenkins, Angott, Zivic) and two other great fighters (Joyce and Zurita) in the same year? That year alone worth of wins would get him in the hall of fame.
If I remember that fight correctly Armstrong was a friend of SRR as well as highly respected the story goes that it was evident that Armstrong didn't have much left in the ring to compete at that level and SRR pulled punches to go the distance out of respect....No I don't think it is overlooked anymore than the Armstrong-Ross fight in which Armstrong did the same thing for Ross. He should get credit for his humanity and loyalty to his heroes.
Good article on the lead-up to the fight & and the fight overview. Interpret it as you may. http://www.thesweetscience.com/feature-articles/27395-sugar-ray-robinson-vs-henry-armstrong-day-1943
Robinson carried the great Armstrong out of respect. What a fight it would of been if it was the Armstrong of the Barney Ross fight.
You can say that again. I have Armstrong vs Sugar Ray in an exhibition match. Armstrong is much smaller and older. No need to buy this one, just thought it was cool to see both of them in the same ring.
How does anyone do past their best against a young, near welter prime Robinson ? It was a solid win but no surprise.
