85 years ago
Henry Armstrong vs Davey Day
Date: 31st March 1939
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Title: World Welterweight Title
Promoter: Mike Jacobs
Henry Armstrong
(
94
-
11
-
7
)
Weight: 135 lbs
Davey Day
(
56
-
5
-
4
)
Weight: 136 lbs
The night of March 31, 1939, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, witnessed a classic bout between Henry Armstrong and Davey Day. Armstrong, weighing 135 lbs, and Day, weighing 136 lbs, were primed for battle. The referee for this high-stakes fight was Billy Cavanaugh, overseeing a battle that would become known for its intensity and dramatic turns.
From the opening bell, Armstrong demonstrated why he was a reigning champion. For the first four rounds, he dominated Day, showcasing his signature aggressive style that had earned him the welterweight crown. Armstrong's relentless punches had Day on the defensive, and it seemed as though the champion would cruise to an easy victory. However, boxing is a sport where fortunes can change in an instant.
In the fifth round, the momentum shifted dramatically. Digging deep, Day began to counter Armstrong's attacks with jarring uppercuts and precise left jabs. One of these jabs opened a deep gash over Armstrong's left eye, and the dynamic of the fight shifted. Sensing the shift in the duel, the crowd erupted with excitement as Day took the fight to the champion. Armstrong, who had hurt both hands, was in a real battle.
Despite the injury to his left hand and the cut above his eye, Armstrong refused to back down. The rounds that followed were a testament to both fighters' resilience and determination. Armstrong, even with his compromised condition, continued to exchange heavy blows with Day, each punch echoing through the Garden. Day, sensing a possible upset, fought with heart and skill, meeting Armstrong punch for punch.
The critical moment came in the twelfth round. Armstrong, summoning his last reserves of strength, landed a short right hook that dropped Day to the canvas. The crowd held its breath as Referee Billy Cavanaugh began the count. Day, displaying incredible fortitude, managed to stagger to his feet. However, recognizing the extent of Day's exhaustion and the punishment he had absorbed, Cavanaugh mercifully stopped the fight at 2:49 of the twelfth round, declaring Armstrong the winner by TKO.
This victory did not come without cost to Armstrong. He required four stitches to close the cut over his left eye, and X-rays revealed a broken index finger on his left hand and a bruised right hand. Despite these injuries, Armstrong's courage and skill had seen him through one of the most brutal fights of his career. His post-fight comments reflected his respect for Day and the severity of the contest, acknowledging Day's sharp hitting and enormous heart.
Day's performance earned him admiration and respect from the fans and Armstrong alike. Armstrong's doctor, Vincent Nardiello, assured the press that despite the injuries, Armstrong would be ready to defend his title against Ernie Roderick in London in two months, a promise that highlighted Armstrong's incredible resilience.
The bout drew an attendance of 10,028 and a gate of $29,808, underscoring the significant interest in this fight. Armstrong's $40,000 payday for his upcoming bout against Roderick was at risk due to his injuries, but the champion's indomitable spirit prevailed, and the fight went ahead as planned.