I've been watching tape of Armstrong and it got me wondering... Of course, in pure H2H match ups, Homicide Hank could beat any of today's boxers around his weight. However, with the way rules are enforced today, and how infighting is less tolerated by referees, would Armstrong's style lead to loss of points and Disqualification, especially with the way he swarmed in with his head? I'd like to know what you think.
A good swarmer can overwhelm just about anyone. I think Armstrong could adapt enough to adjust to modern referees without sacrificing too much of his style.
I think it benefitted him to fight in the era he did as opposed to today but I don't see any reason he couldn't have made minor adjustments and still been effective. He might have to suffer a couple of DQs first though...
It led to loss of points in his own era. Henry Armstrong vs. Lou Ambers (2nd meeting) From BoxRec (Redirected from Fight:16097) Jump to: navigation, search This content is protected 1939-08-22 : Lou Ambers 134½ lbs beat Henry Armstrong 135 lbs by UD in round 15 of 15 Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, USA Referee: Arthur Donovan 8-7 Judge: Bill Healy 11-3 Judge: Frank Fullam 8-7 World Lightweight Title Paid attendance: 29,088; Gross receipts: $137,925.77; Net receipts: $115,651.81; Ambers's purse: $23,398.85; Armstrong's purse: $40,947.99 Photo #2 This bout "was crowded with thrills from the first bell to the last" but, "applying the law more severely than ever before and certainly more painful than it ever has been applied in a championship bout." Referee Donovan penalized Armstrong five rounds (2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th) for low blows. "The title was not won on competition alone but on fighting rules and ethics. Four of these rounds Armstrong won on competition alone without a doubt.... On this observer's score sheet Armstrong was the victim of an injustice." James P. Dawson, New York Times
I agree, just minor adjustments. The closest comparison is Frankie Warren. Watch his first fight with Buddy McGirt or with Ronnie Shields. He is all over them. Very Armstrong-ish and legal. Not a lot would have to be sacrificed by Armstrong.
