86 years ago

Date: 25th November 1938

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA

Title: World Welterweight Title

Promoter: Mike Jacobs

Henry Armstrong
( 89 - 11 - 7 )
Weight: 134 lbs

Ceferino Garcia
( 104 - 24 - 12 )
Weight: 146½ lbs

On November 25, 1938, Madison Square Garden in New York City played host to an unforgettable clash between two boxing legends, as Henry Armstrong, the reigning featherweight, lightweight and welterweight world titleholder, took on the formidable Ceferino Garcia in his first defence of the world welterweight title he took from Barney Ross six months earlier. The 15-round contest, witnessed by a crowd of 15,725 spectators, was hard-fought from first bell to last.

Armstrong, weighing in at a trim 134 pounds, was the overwhelming favorite, with odds of 13-to-5 in his favor. "Homicide Hank" was known for his relentless pressure and incredible stamina. Garcia, on the other hand, was a rugged and experienced fighter, boasting a significant size advantage at 147 pounds.

From the opening bell, Armstrong unleashed his trademark swarming tactics, constantly pressuring Garcia and denying him the opportunity to set his feet and throw his own punches. The Filipino-American challenger found himself on the defensive for much of the fight, struggling to keep the smaller but more aggressive Armstrong at bay.

Despite Armstrong's dominance, Garcia had his moments throughout the bout. In the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th rounds, he managed to create some distance and land some effective shots. The 6th round, in particular, saw Garcia hurt Armstrong with a powerful overhand right, followed by a series of right hands that had the champion in trouble.

As the fight wore on, the physical toll on both men became increasingly evident. Garcia's face was a mess, with cuts over both eyes and on his left cheek, while his hands, which he had injured in the 3rd and 6th rounds, were badly swollen. Armstrong, too, was showing signs of wear and tear, with his left eye completely swollen shut by the 15th round.

In the final round, Garcia, sensing he was behind on the scorecards, made a desperate attempt to turn the tide. He caught Armstrong with another right hand that momentarily stunned the champion, but it was too little, too late. When the final bell rang, there was little doubt that Armstrong had done enough to secure the victory.

The judges' scorecards confirmed Armstrong's dominance, with referee Arthur Donovan and judge Billy 'Kid' McPartland both scoring the fight 9-6 in his favor, while judge George LeCron had it slightly closer at 8-7. The unanimous decision victory was a testament to Armstrong's incredible skill, determination, and resilience in the face of a larger, stronger opponent.

The fight, which generated a gate of $79,931, was not only a financial success but also a critical one for Armstrong. By defeating Garcia, he solidified his status as one of the greatest fighters of his generation and set the stage for his historic quest to capture a fourth world title at middleweight.

For Garcia, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, but he had proven himself to be a worthy challenger and a true warrior in the ring. His performance against Armstrong, despite coming up short, earned him the respect and admiration of boxing fans around the world.