Henry Armstrong Triple Title Holder Myth?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 20 Aug 2006, 08:19

It is often stated that the great Henry Armstrong was the only fighter to ever hold three World Championships at three different weights at the same time.

But is this true?

What about Barney Ross? When Ross beat the outstanding Jimmy McLarnin for the World Welterweight Title in 1934 Ross was still World Lightweight and World Junior-Lightweight Champion.

Any thoughts?

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=008996

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 20 Aug 2006, 09:43

But Armstrong held 3 genuine world titles while the Junior Lightweight crown was certainly seen as a paper bauble at that time... interesting point though...

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 20 Aug 2006, 09:48

Actually according to my record book Ross relinquished the Lightweight crown before he won the Welterweight title from Mcclarnin... when he won the Welter title the only other title he held was the Junior Welterweight crown...

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 20 Aug 2006, 10:53

silkov wrote:Actually according to my record book Ross relinquished the Lightweight crown before he won the Welterweight title from Mcclarnin... when he won the Welter title the only other title he held was the Junior Welterweight crown...

Accorfing to Boxrec "Ross vacated his lightweight title in April 1935 without making any defences" Which is after he first won the Welterweight Title.

Does your record book say different? I will have to check some of mine.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 20 Aug 2006, 14:37

KOJOE90 wrote:
silkov wrote:Actually according to my record book Ross relinquished the Lightweight crown before he won the Welterweight title from Mcclarnin... when he won the Welter title the only other title he held was the Junior Welterweight crown...
Accorfing to Boxrec "Ross vacated his lightweight title in April 1935 without making any defences" Which is after he first won the Welterweight Title.

Does your record book say different? I will have to check some of mine.

My '83 Ring Encyclopedia says that Ross vacated/relinquished the 135 title after his second fight with Canzoneri (which was for both the 135 and 140 titles) and after that he made some defences of the 140 title before winning the Welter title. Interesting thing is that the Lightweight crown wasnt contested again till 12th october '35 when Canzoneri fought Lou AMbers for the title... so it is a little confusing....

BoxBuzz · Post by **BoxBuzz** » 20 Aug 2006, 15:19

This is something that got it's "credibility" based on the fact that he could have been considered the best in each division and though he may not have actually held the belts or titles on concurrent calandar "days", for the public and for most boxing fans he was the man at these weights in a "concurrent fashion".

I think the "scribes" have it right in terms of absolute details that he had given the lightweight title back. But this is more in the sensibilities of "accountants" rather than sports fans.

For those of you who are articulate historians this does matter and I"m not picking a fight. But some of this "sloppiness" is public media and general fan "sensibilities".

I hope I havent disturbed the peace of either the "themists" or the "accountants" amoung us. The black and white thinkers and philosophical thinkers will never get completely together on some of these matters.

Ambling Alp · Post by **Ambling Alp** » 20 Aug 2006, 21:52

Wow, that was deep! :)

barry · Post by **barry** » 22 Aug 2006, 06:23

Barney Ross, though a great fighter he was, in my opinion held 2 titles as I think most of the jr. divisions are nonsense. If Ross did in fact hold three the span of weight between the three titles would be 12 pounds total...the pounds that span Armstrong's incredible feat stretch out 21 total pounds.

An argument can even be made for Terry McGovern being that he won the bantam and feather titles and then beat the light weight champion all within one year and though the lightweight title was not on the line...he did still be the divisions champion!

Honestly though, I think Armstrong stands alone with this record!

BoxBuzz · Post by **BoxBuzz** » 22 Aug 2006, 06:44

Can this even be done in this day and age? Will the sanctioning czars even allow such activity?

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 22 Aug 2006, 07:07

BoxBuzz wrote:Can this even be done in this day and age? Will the sanctioning czars even allow such activity?

I'm sure that with the appropriate sanctioning fees, the four families will allow just about anything.