VIDEO: Henry Armstrong vs. Ernie Roderick & Ceferino Garcia II

Here is rare footage of two significant fights in the career of the almighty Armstrong. Thanks to Raging B(_)LL for providing these.

The first is Armstrong's title defense against Ernie Roderick. Armstrong accepted a big money offer to travel to England and put his title on the line against Roderick, who was a leading contender at the time. Roderick was a good boxer with a fine record and a solid punch. He had only lost twice in his last 60 or so fights. However, Armstrong outclassed him and gave him a sound beating. Still, Roderick impressed his countrymen with his gutty display and by lasting the distance.

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This next fight is Armstrong's famous (and infamous) middleweight title fight against Ceferino Garcia. At this time, Garcia was not only a partial MW titleholder, but even more significantly, he was rated by many as the top MW in the world. He had fought Armstrong previously for the WW title and lost a hard-fought battle (which is also on Youtube BTW). Since then he had moved up in weight, knocked over some ranking MWs, and scored a shocking upset KO over HOFer Fred Apostoli, rated as the top fighter in the division. He appeared to be even stronger and better at MW than he had been at WW. He also was a quick combination puncher and noted for his powerful uppercuts, which he threw with a bolo-like motion. Armstrong challenged him out in California, where Garcia had something of a following (largely fellow Filipinos). Many people thought Armstrong was robbed of winning his fourth title. You be the judge.

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Notice at 2:50 of Part 2, Armstrong appears to spit out a large clump of blood onto the canvas. At 6:07 of Part 3, he spits his mouthpiece out and then goes crazy swarming Garcia, apparently fighting the rest of the round without his mouthpiece.

Even though Armstrong didn't officially get the "W", to me this fight is one of his best performances and arguably his greatest achievement. He came into this fight weighing a mere 142 pounds shock, going up against the strongest and most powerful fighter at 160, and yet bullied him around the ring from start to finish. Garcia nailed him with the same punches that KO'd some sturdy MW contenders, but Armstrong shook them off and just kept coming. Regardless of anything else that happened in this fight, I find that feat alone to be absolutely mind-boggling.

Even though Garcia escaped with his title that night, it was a Pyrrhic victory for him as he never was the same afterward. He lost his title in his next defense (to Ken Overlin) in a reportedly lackluster effort, and then faded from the big scene after that.

 

For a comparison, here's Armstrong's first fight with Garcia for anyone who hasn't seen it:

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For this fight, Armstrong weighed only about 133, meaning that in both their fights Garcia had about a 10-15 pound edge on him at the weigh in.

The fight follows a similar pattern as their rematch, though perhaps not quite as fast-paced and intense. A key difference it seems to me is that Garcia's punches do not appear to have the same force behind them as when they landed at 160, while Armstrong's punches have more impact on him.

 

Garcia was also recognized as champ by California and the west coast (which he had also won from Apostoli) and that portion of the title was on the line.

 

Yes it was.

From the United Press, February 29 1940:
"Henry Armstrong, who has held three world championships but still wants another, will make a try for the fourth tomorrow night when he engages Ceferino Garcia for the middleweight title."

From the Associated Press, March 1, 1940:
"Garcia's title was at stake."

The Associated Press, March 2, 1940:
"The draw decision may have marked the end of Hammerin' Henry's hope of acquiring a fourth title in his career, although a rematch is a possibility."


It wasn't uncommon for title fights to be scheduled for less than 15 rounds in those days. In fact, Armstrong had already made 2 or 3 defenses of his WW title in 10-round fights. NY had a rule at this time that it would only recognize fights scheduled for 15 rounds as title fights, but other commissions had no such restrictions.

 

Incidentally, the referee George Blake (the sole judge) said that Armstrong had actually outfought Garcia, but that he called it a draw to "compensate" for Armstrong's rough-house tactics.

 

I believe something of his first fight with Ambers is out there; other than that, your list is all I know of as well.