After several more amateur fights, Armstrong moved to Pittsburgh to pursue a professional career. In 1949 Armstrong experienced a religious conversion and turned his life around. However, he successfully defended his two other titles 12 times during 1939. After retirement, he became an ordained minister. Armstrong won three world titles at three weight classes. His preaching drew significant crowds to revivals and other meetings. Working at the "colored" Young Men's Christian Association, Armstrong met Harry Armstrong, a former boxer, who became his friend, mentor, and trainer. The title bout came August 17, 1938, just three months after his fight with Ross, when Armstrong faced lightweight champion Lou Ambers before a packed house of almost 20,000 fans at Madison Square Garden. Armstrong won his most significant fight when he overcame alcoholism. Because the fight was scheduled for just ten rounds, the fight was recognized as a title fight only by California. That didn't surprise anybody in boxing. Armstrong made his professional boxing debut at the age of 18 on July 27, 1931. Two boxers from the Pearl Boxing Club will be fighting in the event: Chown 'Chop Chop' Sims, and Keshaun 'Big Baby' Davis. existed; At the beginning, his performance was rather good but not 23 Feb. 2023 . Alternate titles: Henry Jackson, Melody Jackson. In an attempt to gain popularity and therefore more important fights with bigger purses, they set a goal of winning titles in three different weight divisions, an accomplishment no boxer had ever achieved. Full Q\u0026A episode here: https://youtu.be/KULHRj7H9l0**** Teddy's Audiobook Now Available. His attempt to regain the welterweight championship on January 17, 1941, resulted in his knockout in the 12th round by Zivic. Henry Jackson Jr. (December 12, 1912 October 24, 1988) was an American professional boxer and a world boxing champion who fought under the name Henry Armstrong.Armstrong was one of the few fighters to win in three or more different divisions: featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight. When the promoters postponed the bout for 10 days, Armstrong accepted Joe Louis's invitation to train at Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, with Louis paying for all expenses. ." It was no contest, with Armstrong's rapid-fire attack overwhelming Ross to gain the 15-round decision. Here he gained his first boxing experience, winning a competition among the pinboys. He also wrote the autobiographical God, Gloves, and Glory (1956). 1913-1998 First of all, Ive got to thank Pearl Boxing Club, because without them this wouldnt be the possible or without God.. Small in stature, he was often the target for teasing. Armstrong fought as an amateur from 1929 to 1932. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1937. On May 31, 1938, he took the welterweight (147-pound) championship from Barney Ross by decision, and, on August 17 of that year, he defeated Lou Ambers by decision to win the lightweight (135-pound) title. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). American boxer Henry has been found in 17 states including Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, California. During the fight Armstrong suffered an eye injury that required surgery. Mead was suspended 13 months after accusing commissioner Bill Brown of favoring Ambers. Armstrong knocked Sarron out in six rounds, becoming the World Featherweight Champion. That was the last time Armstrong would fight for a championship. Omissions? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Armstrong had his cornermen remove his mouthpiece so he could swallow the blood flowing in his mouth the last five rounds. var navclassiccold = new Image(); All but one of his defences were in the USA. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. To this day, he is the only boxer to . American boxer and television commentator. //