Henry Armstrong Record & Stats

Boxing Record

Career Summary

Henry Armstrong's professional boxing career spanned more than 13 years — from 1931 to 1945.

Armstrong made his debut against Al Lovino at the age of 18 on July 27, 1931, losing to Lovino via 3rd round KO.

Armstrong had his first world title fight at the age of 24 on October 29, 1937 after 93 professional fights, against Petey Sarron for the featherweight NBA and The Ring titles. He defeated Sarron via 6th round KO to become the featherweight champion of the world.

Armstrong won three world titles at 3 weight classes. For all the details about Armstrong's world title wins and defenses refer to "Henry Armstrong World Titles".

Some of Armstrong's best fights and notable victories include wins over Barney Ross, Ceferino Garcia, Al Manfredo, Bobby Pacho, Lew Feldman, Howard Scott, and Richie Fontaine.

Henry Armstrong had a total of 22 losses in his professional boxing career — three of them in title bouts and 19 in non-title bouts. He suffered his first loss in his professional debut against Al Lovino via 3rd round KO. He was stopped two times and lost 20 times via decision. For more details about these defeats, refer to "All of Henry Armstrong's losses".

His last professional fight was a non-title rematch against Chester Slider at 32 years of age, on February 14, 1945. Armstrong lost the fight via 10 round PTS.

Armstrong retired from professional boxing with a record of 151-22-10, which included 100 knockout wins and 2 losses via knockout, and 3 title wins. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 1990.

Career Highlights

Henry Armstrong fought a total of 183 times during his professional career. He was among the very best of his generation and is one of the pound-for-pound best boxers of all time. These 11 fights are the highlight of his career.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Petey Sarron

  October 29, 1937

  A 24-year old Henry Armstrong (74-12-7, 46 KO) had his first world title fight against Petey Sarron for Sarron's NBA and The Ring featherweight belts.

  Armstrong defeated Sarron via 6th round KO to win the NBA and Ring Magazine featherweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Barney Ross

  May 31, 1938

  A 25-year old Henry Armstrong (89-12-7, 60 KO) faced Barney Ross, who was 28 years old with a record of 74-3-3. Ross was on a 21-fight win streak with 22 KO wins, and was the taller of the two by 4 cms but both had the same reach.

  Armstrong defeated Ross via 15 round unanimous decision to win the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Ceferino Garcia

  November 25, 1938

  A 25-year old Henry Armstrong (91-12-7, 60 KO) faced Ceferino Garcia, who was 32 years old with a record of 101-24-12 in a welterweight title defense fight. Garcia was on a eight-fight win streak with 60 KO wins, and was the taller of the two by 4 cms but both had the same reach.

  Armstrong defeated Garcia via 15 round unanimous decision to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Al Manfredo

  December 5, 1938

  A 25-year old Henry Armstrong (92-12-7, 60 KO) faced Al Manfredo in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Manfredo via 3rd round TKO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Bobby Pacho

  March 4, 1939

  A 26-year old Henry Armstrong (94-12-7, 61 KO) faced Bobby Pacho in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Pacho via 4th round TKO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Lew Feldman

  March 16, 1939

  In a rematch, a 26-year old Henry Armstrong (95-12-7, 62 KO) faced Lew Feldman in a lightweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Feldman via 1st round KO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine lightweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Al Manfredo

  October 9, 1939

  In a rematch, a 26-year old Henry Armstrong (98-13-7, 64 KO) faced Al Manfredo in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Manfredo via 4th round TKO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Howard Scott

  October 13, 1939

  A 26-year old Henry Armstrong (99-13-7, 65 KO) faced Howard Scott in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Scott via 2nd round KO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Richie Fontaine

  October 20, 1939

  In a rematch, a 26-year old Henry Armstrong (100-13-7, 66 KO) faced Richie Fontaine in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Fontaine via 3rd round TKO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Bobby Pacho

  October 30, 1939

  In a rematch, a 26-year old Henry Armstrong (102-13-7, 67 KO) faced Bobby Pacho in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Pacho via 4th round TKO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.

• Henry Armstrong vs. Jimmy Garrison

  December 11, 1939

  In a rematch, a 26-year old Henry Armstrong (103-13-7, 68 KO) faced Jimmy Garrison in a welterweight title defense fight.

  Armstrong defeated Garrison via 7th round KO to retain the NBA and Ring Magazine welterweight titles.