86 years ago

Date: 17th August 1938

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA

Title: World Lightweight Title

Promoter: Mike Jacobs

Lou Ambers
( 75 - 5 - 7 )
Weight: 134½ lbs

Henry Armstrong
( 88 - 11 - 7 )
Weight: 134 lbs

On a sweltering August night in 1938, Madison Square Garden hosted one of the most significant and gruelling battles in boxing history. Lou Ambers, the reigning lightweight champion, stepped into the ring to face the relentless Henry Armstrong, who had already captured the featherweight and welterweight titles. At stake was the lightweight championship and the opportunity for Armstrong to become the first and only fighter to simultaneously hold three world titles in different weight classes.

The stage was set for an epic clash between two of the era's most formidable fighters. Ambers, a seasoned champion with an impressive record, had proven his mettle against Tony Canzoneri, Frankie Klick, and Baby Arizmendi. On the other hand, Armstrong had steamrolled through the featherweight and welterweight divisions, earning the moniker "Homicide Hank" for his devastating power and relentless aggression.

Armstrong took the fight to Ambers from the opening bell, setting a blistering pace with his trademark whirlwind attack. The early rounds saw Armstrong outworking the champion, pounding away with a barrage of punches from all angles. In the fifth round, a powerful right hand sent Ambers crashing to the canvas, but the bell saved him from having to beat the count.

Round six proved to be another dominant showcase for Armstrong, as he continued to batter Ambers, sending him to the canvas once more with a vicious right hand. Ambers, displaying the heart of a true champion, rose to his feet and fought on, absorbing the punishment dished out by his relentless adversary.

Despite Armstrong's early dominance, the fight was far from over. Ambers, known for his grit and determination, began to mount a comeback, trading blows with Armstrong in a toe-to-toe slugfest that had the crowd on its feet. The two warriors exchanged punches at a furious pace, each man giving and taking in equal measure.

By the tenth round, Armstrong was clearly ahead on the scorecards, but the toll of the battle was evident. He had suffered a deep gash inside his mouth and cuts to both eyes. Referee Billy Cavanagh threatened to stop the fight due to the amount of blood in the ring, but Armstrong, in a display of sheer determination, refused to let the bout be halted. "I'm winning this fight," he declared, promising to stop the bleeding.

In the remaining rounds, Armstrong swallowed his own blood as he continued his pursuit of Ambers, pounding away with relentless determination. But Ambers, drawing on his own reserves of courage, staged a thrilling late-round rally in the thirteenth, blunting Armstrong's attack and bringing the crowd to its feet.

At the final bell, both men stood exhausted, their faces marked by the battle they had just endured. The decision was close, with Armstrong losing three rounds due to low blows, but ultimately, he emerged victorious, becoming the first and only fighter to hold three world titles simultaneously.

The crowd, however, wanted more than the outcome. Inspired by Ambers' courageous performance and late-round surge, they booed the decision and showered the ring with garbage, feeling that the champion had been robbed of a rightful victory.

In the aftermath of the fight, Armstrong acknowledged the sheer brutality of the contest, declaring it his most brutal title fight ever. "I'm sick, and I'm almost out of my head with pain," he told reporters, a testament to the price he had paid for greatness.

The first meeting between Lou Ambers and Henry Armstrong will be remembered as a defining moment in boxing history. It was a battle that showcased the very essence of the sport – courage, determination, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. While Armstrong emerged victorious, cementing his status as one of the greatest fighters of all time, Ambers's performance that night earned him the respect and admiration of fans and fellow fighters alike.

In the end, the Ambers-Armstrong clash serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and hardships endured by those who seek to etch their names in the annals of boxing greatness. It was a fight that pushed both men to their limits and beyond, a true testament to the indomitable spirit of the sweet science.