Henry Armstrong (1938, Barney Ross) Vs Prime Ray Robinson, Who Wins?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mandela2039, Apr 22, 2025 at 8:23 PM.


  1. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Romans 3:12 Full Member

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    How much of a difference would there have been if Hank was in his prime when he was set to face the (almost) universally recognized GOAT of the sport? how much of a chance does he have at beating him, now that he is in his best shape and in his best performance on footage?
     
  2. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Armstrong has a big mountain to climb. The size difference is significant. Robinson is the bigger man also the better boxer and more powerful puncher.
    Henry would bring tons of pressure and try to get to Sugar Ray's body.

    I suspect SRR could keep Henry at range and win comfortably but Robinson would engage him with exchanges at midrange even inside. Eventually i think he catches Hank clean too many times.
    Robinson by stoppage 10-12 round.

    Just a note in their actual fight Ray was suspected to have carried Armstrong. Dan Parker of the Daily Mirror could see Ray missing punches just enough to make it look good. Years later Ray confirmed that he carried Henry.
     
    ron davis and Smoochie like this.
  3. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    SRR could be as good as he wants to be, carry or not, depends on the odds and the future gates of each fight. Armstrong would give Ray a lot of trouble, especially if he can't hit above the trunks. Armstrong never stops throwing punches, like a fan on full speed, and would be hard to be hit, in a crouch or standing. Utube has Sugar Ray Robinson fighting Sammy Angott who I believe fought four times, and didn't knock him out, or could have knock him out would be bad for business. Armstrong beat Angott with two injured hands and was over the hill. Armstrong carried Ross the last four rounds and beat with out a sweat. Barneys stablemate Davey Day was suppose to fight Armstrong before he could fight Ross, he wanted no part of Mr. Day. Sam Taub the voice of boxing narrated the The Armstrong/ Ross match. Davey Day fought Norment Quarles and beat Norment hands down. Of which, Sam Taub announce that Davey Day is Ross's stablemate and is more clever than Barney and hits harder. Before announcing Ross/ Armstrong wel. title fight. There you go, that's the reason the (monopoly) side step Day.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2025 at 1:17 PM
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Armstrong's WW record is misleading. A prime Ray Robinson would dominate him.
     
  5. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Romans 3:12 Full Member

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    Misleading in what way? not saying i disagree or agree with you but i'm a casual so i would like to know why is it misleading
     
  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    So much of his title opposition was tiny. Lew Feldman, 134lbs. Baby Arizmendi 136lbs. Davey Day 136lbs. Paul Junior 142lbs. Joe Ghnouly 135lbs. A cynic might even say that he continued to fight at 135lbs in defence of a different title, although there are probably just enough full weight welterweights to refute that accusation. Still, it's nothing like enough of a body of evidence to make him favoured over the welterweight.
     
  7. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Romans 3:12 Full Member

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    Im not following, how is tiny opposition misleading?

    Are you saying it is misleading because SRR is bigger than them or that it is misleading because they were tiny and Henry was bigger than them?
     
  8. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It's misleading because half of Armstrong's title reign was basically at 135.
     
  9. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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