Henry Armstrong Tidbits

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Jun 22, 2009.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    From a rarish boxing book of mine. Enjoy.

    "In the life of Armstrong, Horatio Alger never had it so good. Through the early 1930's, Hank fought to stay off the breadlines, engading in some 62 "benefits" and bootlegs amateurs before he ever saw a decent payday. He was the dupe of some of the most vicious rascals who ever threw a preliminary boy into three fights on the same card. He entered his first pro ring with two broken ribs, sick from lack of food, and was knocked out in three rounds. The first big time manager he approached for help in the gym told him, "I don't handle ******s".

    Over one stretch-1931-when he won 85 straight fights, 66 by knockout, young Hank lived in flophouses and never was paid more then $2 a fight."

    Incredible stuff.
     
    Russell, Jun 22, 2009
    Russell, Jun 22, 2009
    #1
  2. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Must have been an incredibly determined man to go on to achieve what he achieved after that sort of start.... respect.
     
    Bill Butcher, Jun 22, 2009
    Bill Butcher, Jun 22, 2009
    #2
  3. cotto20

    cotto20 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I have got so much respect for hank a true warrior, one of the best fighters that ever lived. nice post was a very intresting read
     
    cotto20, Jun 22, 2009
    cotto20, Jun 22, 2009
    #3
  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    On top of fighting his first fight under those conditions didn't he swallow ungodly amounts of blood in one of his title fights?
     
    Russell, Jun 22, 2009
    Russell, Jun 22, 2009
    #4
  5. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

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    Yup, it was his first bout with Ambers. A brutal fight.
     
    klompton, Jun 22, 2009
    klompton, Jun 22, 2009
    #5
  6. grumpy

    grumpy Member Full Member

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    I would love to see him face The Pacman Greatest fight ever. Armstrong is one of my favorite atg. He went from featherweight champ all the way up to welterweight 21 lbs. unreal.
     
    grumpy, Jun 22, 2009
    grumpy, Jun 22, 2009
    #6
  7. OBCboxer

    OBCboxer Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He was Pound for Pound best before there was a Pound for Pound.
     
    OBCboxer, Jun 22, 2009
    OBCboxer, Jun 22, 2009
    #7
  8. EireFightFan

    EireFightFan Active Member Full Member

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    Didn't he have an unusually slow heart beat which contributed to his incredible workrate and stamina?
     
    EireFightFan, Jun 23, 2009
    EireFightFan, Jun 23, 2009
    #8
  9. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    The fitter you get the less beats per miniute your heart will use while resting. Some Tour de France guy had a resting heart beat of 2 per miniute supposedly
     
    PowerPuncher, Jun 23, 2009
    PowerPuncher, Jun 23, 2009
    #9
  10. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    Henry is a true fighter and one of my favrouites
     
    GPater11093, Jun 23, 2009
    GPater11093, Jun 23, 2009
    #10
  11. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Astonishing.
     
    teeto, Jun 23, 2009
    teeto, Jun 23, 2009
    #11
  12. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The GOAT.
     
    My2Sense, Jun 23, 2009
    My2Sense, Jun 23, 2009
    #12
  13. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Thanks for the nice comment on my avatar mate.
     
    teeto, Jun 23, 2009
    teeto, Jun 23, 2009
    #13
  14. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Armstrong has said he entered the ring practically malnourished and was KO'd by body blows. Indeed, he weighed in for the fight only about 120 pounds, probably his career low weight. He said he used what money he got from the fight on food, and for his next fight a few days later, he was five pounds heavier.
     
    My2Sense, Jun 23, 2009
    My2Sense, Jun 23, 2009
    #14
  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Yes he did he would shadow box several rounds in his dressing room prior to going on .just to get warmed up.
     
    mcvey, Jun 23, 2009
    mcvey, Jun 23, 2009
    #15
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