86 years ago
Henry Armstrong vs Bobby Pacho
Date: 4th March 1939
Venue: Tropical Stadium, Havana, CubaTitle: World Welterweight Title
Henry Armstrong
(
92
-
11
-
7
)
Weight: 135¾ lbs
Bobby Pacho
(
115
-
48
-
19
)
Weight: 147 lbs
On March 4, 1939, reigning world welterweight champion Henry Armstrong stepped into the ring at Tropical Stadium in Havana, Cuba, to face challenger Bobby Pacho. The fight, refereed by former world heavyweight champion Jim Braddock, showcased Armstrong's incredible speed, power, and stamina as he successfully defended his crown with a fourth-round TKO.
Armstrong, a boxing phenom who held world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously, entered the bout with an impressive record of 92 wins, 11 losses, and 7 draws. "Homicide Hank" was known for his relentless attacking style and limitless energy, which had earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting fighters of his era.
Pacho, born in Yuma, Arizona, entered the ring with a record of 115 wins, 48 losses, and 19 draws. The challenger was a seasoned professional having faced some of the biggest names in boxing, including Fritzie Zivic, Ceferino Garcia, Tony Canzoneri, Barney Ross, and the legendary Battling Siki. Despite his wealth of experience, Pacho entered the ring as a significant underdog against the dominant Armstrong.
As many had found out before him, Pacho was no match for Armstrong and was stopped in the fourth round. Referee Braddock ended matters at 1:10 of the round.
The win solidified Armstrong's status as the leading welterweight in the world. The two men would meet again seven months later, on October 30, 1939, at the Municipal Auditorium in Denver, Colorado. Once again, Armstrong emerged victorious, stopping Pacho in the fourth round to retain his welterweight title.