Henry Armstrong was born Henry Jackson Jr. on December 12, 1912 in Columbus, Mississippi. His family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated with honors.
Henry began his professional career on July 28, 1931, and was knocked out in three rounds by Al Iovino. He got his first win later that year with a six round decision win over Sammy Burns. He moved to Los Angeles ,and actually lost two four round decisions. However, Henry did begin an impressive streak of eleven wins in a row after that,
Henry fought some of his early fights under the name Melody Jackson, before settling on the boxing name of Henry Armstrong. He began to improve over the next few years, and by 1937, he went 27-0 with 26 knockouts.
He won his first title at 126 pounds by knocking out Petey Sarron in Madison Square Garden on October 29th, 1937. His knockout streak of 27 stopped, but in 1938, he challenged Barney Ross for the welterweight crown, and won it, despite weighing only 133 1/2 pounds, Still the featherweight champ, Armstrong lost weight again, and beat lightweight champion Lou Ambers by split decision on May 31, 1938. That win made him the first boxer to hold three titles in three divisions at the same time, an incredible feat.
Henry continued boxing until 1945 and retired with a record of 152 wins, 21 losses and 9 draws, 101 of those wins coming by knockout. No doubt, one of the all time greats, and a true legend in the ring.
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