It's very hard to go against Ray Robinson, but I will. I have never seen another swarmer quite like Armstrong. He is truly amazing, and while he may seem crude your first few times watching him, you slowly see how absolutely amazing this man was. And though a huge difference in weight between the 2 if lamotta could beat ray, Armstrong in his prime could, and I would even put my money on him. Armstrongs skill makes up for his size in this case, and he had a hell of a chin to go along with it. And I'm not saying domination, but I'm taking hank in a very very close fight
In 1943 I and my dad saw the Ray Robinson/Henry Armstrong shindig at MSG. It was no contest, as Robinson "played" with his idol, the past peak Henry, never trying to hurt Armstrong at all. We in the crowd sensed this and never booed Robinson, who never opened up on the fading Armstrong...Who would have won in their primes ? My money would be on the greatest fighter I ever saw Ray Robinson. Too tall for the 5ft 5" Armstrong....I have always contended that Robinson's almost 6ft height gave him a great advantage over his shorter opponents, so in a way Henry Armstrong's feats as a triple crown winner was more remarkable than Robinson's exploits in a longer career...
I'd have to go with SRR. It took more than just swarming to beat him, you'd have to out think the guy. As Eddie Futch said " Ray did things in the ring I've never seen before or since "
Gotta go with Robinson by decision or late stoppage. Armstrong was an uncommon swarmer, incredible stamina and he set a helluva pace. Hank was also smaller at `47. SRR had not just height but blazing speed of hand and foot. Most importantly he had the firepower to stop Henry in his tracks. Like Ali and Frazier but you gave Ali a bigger punch.
What an analogy!. Jake LaMotta at 160 pounds would pulverize the much smaller BUT GREATER Henry Armstrong were they to have fought. And if you saw the Ray Robinson/Henry Armstrong fight as I did in MSG, in which Robinson "toyed" with his idol Armstrong, you would think differently, I assure you...
How many of their series did Jake win against Ray? That tells you who wins between a smaller Armstrong and SRR.
Robinson. I do not see how Armstrong can stay close to Robinson moving in full-fulid stick and move. With that timing and power and instinct. I could see Armstrong being overmatched, as much as I hate to say it. Burt is right about the height advantage. Robinson was the height of a point guard in basketball.
its men like Armstrong who never take a backwards step that give Robinson his beast and toughest fights in 3 fight series I take Robinson 2 out of the three at Armstrong best. but locking back and seeing Armstrong lost against Zivic twice and Robinson beat Zivic three times out of three that just adds to rays chances
