Henry Armstrong,World Welterweight Champion 1938-1940,defended his title 18(!) times, lost his title to Fritzie Zivic. Armstrong tried to regain the title but Zivic beat him again. Zivic lost the title to Freddie Cochrane (63-31) in 1941. Cochrane lost it to Marty Servo (45-2-2) in 1946 who vacated the belt a few months later. Sugar Ray Robinson was the next Welter-Champ. The questions are: Why didn't Armstrong try to regain the title? Was Armstrong mentally shot after the bouts against Zivic? Would Armstrong beat Cochrane or Servo? Would Armstrong have an exciting trilogy against Robinson for the Welter-crown? Discuss.
I don't think that there's any dount that Armstrong, even in the twilight of his career, would have been able to defeat Cochrane, had he secured a title shot. And, there was a point in 1944 where he was still highly rated by the Ring Magazine. Still, his tendency, post reign, to drop fights against some of his biggest opponents ( e.g. Beau Jack, Sugar Ray Robinson, etc.) meant that he wasn't in a position where the champions had to defend against him in order to gain legitimacy.
Armstrong was a candle that burned twice as bright and half as long. He had an incredible but short career and was washed up young.
After his loss to Zivic in 1941 he continued boxing until 1945. He even won another rematch with Zivic in 1942,but no title-bout. Sure he lost then to Robinson in 1943 by UD,but nevertheless I think Armstrong could've been more according to his style.
Also after Feddie Red won the title from Zivic, yeah Armstrong would have won. Red went into the army, and did not defend the title for the period of the war effort. How can Armstrong regain the title with the champ in the army in WW2?? And not defended it during the war period??
No, Robinson idolised Armstrong and reportedly went easy on him in their fight. A rematch would yield the same result - a win for Robinson. Any fighter would need to be at his absolute best to stand a chance against a young Robinson and that even goes for the great Armstrong.
Peak for peak he's probably to small. At the time you're talking about, impossible. The fight between SRR and Armstrong was not competitive. Ray basically carried him. Ray Robinson and ringsiders agree that Armstrong came out for the first round in a manner suggesting he felt he could win and that that lasted all of 100 seconds. Some remember a hostile crowd that booed what turned into an exhibition, others remember a sypmathetic Garden approving of Robinson's gentle handling of the New York favourite.
