Henry Armstrong

American boxer who remains the only fighter in history to hold undisputed world championships in three weight divisions simultaneously.

Born Henry Jackson on 12 December 1912 in Columbus, Mississippi, and raised in St. Louis, Henry Armstrong began boxing under the name Melody Jackson before becoming one of the most relentless, high-pressure fighters the sport has ever seen. His non-stop attacking style, sustained across all 15 rounds of a bout, earned him the nickname 'Homicide Hank'. Armstrong achieved a feat that has never been repeated in boxing history: within a span of ten months in 1937 and 1938, he won world championships in three separate weight divisions. He knocked out Petey Sarron in six rounds in October 1937 to win the featherweight title, then took the welterweight championship from Barney Ross by decision in May 1938, and finally defeated Lou Ambers by split decision in August 1938 to add the lightweight crown — becoming the only boxer ever to hold undisputed titles in three divisions at once. Armstrong defended his welterweight title a remarkable 19 times, a division record, facing 17 world champions across his career and defeating 15 of them. He lost the lightweight title in a rematch with Ambers in 1939, and eventually lost his welterweight crown to Fritzie Zivic in October 1940, never regaining a championship afterward despite continuing to compete at a high level for several more years. Armstrong retired in 1945 with a career record of 151 wins, 21 losses and 9 draws, including 101 knockouts. He was named The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year in 1937. After retiring, he overcame alcoholism, became an ordained Baptist minister, and devoted much of his later life to working with disadvantaged youth in St. Louis. He died on 24 October 1988 at age 75.

Relentless, high-pressure attacking style sustained for all 15 rounds

Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most relentless fighters in boxing history