Henry Armstrong had a terrible time making a
living in boxing before 1936. As a result, he
was willing to fight Filipino boxers at venues
with large crowds of Filipinos. In fact,
Armstrong had one of his first main events
with a Filipino boxer named Kid Moro in Pismo
Beach, California on November 3, 1933.
Armstrong was given the decision after
ten rounds of boxing. A number of Filipino
fans were so upset that the referee needed
an escort.
Some reports said that the decision was
changed to a draw later on. The question
is WHO changed the decision? I don't think
that the referee changed changed the decision.
From what I understand, there was a report that
the California State Athletic Commission changed
the decision.
However, the said commission would have had
to change their policy of upholding the verdicts
of referees even if they are controversial. Seth
Strelinger, the first chairman of the commission,
put emphasis on this policy after the controversial
decision in the World Middleweight Title bout
between Tiger Flowers, the champion, and Mickey
Walker, the challenger, staged in Chicago. After
the bout, Strelinger sent a wire saying that
California recognized Walker as the new
champion. Strelinger added that if a referee
is incompetent, fire him, and if a referee is
dishonest, ban him.
- Chuck Johnston
