Date: 13th October 1939
Venue: Armory, Minneapolis, MinnesotaTitle: World Welterweight Title
Promoter: Al Sunderland
Henry Armstrong
(
97
-
12
-
7
)
Weight: 141 lbs
Howard Scott
(
125
-
49
-
22
)
Weight: 137 lbs
On October 13, 1939, the Armory in Minneapolis hosted a bout between the reigning World Welterweight Champion Henry Armstrong and Howard Scott, a journeyman fighter from Claremore, Oklahoma. Armstrong, known for his relentless fighting style and impressive record, faced Scott in his second title defence in 4 days.
From the outset, it was clear that Armstrong was in command. In the first round, Armstrong applied his usual relentless pressure, which overwhelmed Scott. Barely able to keep up, Scott was sent to the canvas once during this round, struggling to cope with Armstrong's ferocity. The crowd, familiar with Armstrong's prowess, watched as the champion systematically broke down his opponent.
The second round followed a similar pattern. Armstrong, unrelenting in his assault, continued to dominate. Scott was again knocked down, showing signs of wear from the first round. This time, he was unable to recover. At 1:38 into the second round, the referee Johnny Sokol stopped the fight, declaring Armstrong the winner by knockout. Judges Johnny DeOtis and Britt Gorman, alongside the referee, had witnessed a classic display of Armstrong's skill and power.
This fight marked a swift end for Scott, who would retire after just one more bout following this defeat. Leading up to his fight with Armstrong, Scott had been on a losing streak, losing his previous six bouts. Despite his losses, Scott was resilient in close fights against notable names like Lou Ambers, Tony Canzoneri, and Battling Battalino. However, his bout against Armstrong highlighted the stark difference in their levels.
Armstrong's victory over Scott was part of a remarkable period in his career. In October 1939 alone, Armstrong defended his title five times, showcasing his extraordinary stamina and ability to maintain peak performance. Just four days prior, on October 9, Armstrong had defended his World Welterweight Title against Al Manfredo, winning by TKO in the fourth round. After dispatching Scott, Armstrong continued his streak, defeating Richie Fontaine by TKO in the third round on October 20, Jimmy Garrison by points in a ten-round decision on October 24, and Bobby Pacho by TKO in the fourth round on October 30.
This relentless schedule demonstrated Armstrong's legendary work ethic and cemented his status as one of boxing's all-time greats.