BoxRec

You would not believe how tough it was for Henry Armstrong to
make a living as a boxer before 1936. Understand...Armstrong
was ranked in Ring Magazine's annual rankings for 1934. Yet
it is likely that he was getting less than $100. for a main event
at times. At one point, Armstrong went down to Mexico City to
fight Baby Arizmendi for a potentially lucrative payday, the
promoter reportedly ran off without paying the fighters.

Things changed dramatically for Armstrong in 1936. One
forgotten factor in Armstrong becoming a terrific gate
attraction was that a great Los Angeles boxing venue,
the Olympic Auditorium, was making a dramatic comeback
with Joe Waterman as the matchmaker at the time.
Remember that black boxers were not allowed to fight
at the Hollywood Legion Stadium at the time. During
the 1920s and the 1930s, the Hollywood Legion Stadium
was the most consistently successful boxing club in
California by a large margin.

- Chuck Johnston

thanks Chuck...it does not come as much of a surprise th hear he found it hard going to get a reasonable purse for his fights during that era. it appears from what you say that had it not been for the revival of the Olympic Auditorium,he may well of continued fighting for low - or non if the guy run of- amounts.

I think I am correct in that the legion did not change policy till 46-48 ?

if it was the case he was getting $100 then what in you opinion should he have recieved if he was not black...which is clearly the principle issue here. we can then see what the value of the money was against items of the day.

pretty well known yet still not making any money.......only in america...at least later he was able to make up for some lost time

Robert- Blacks weren't allowed to box at the Hollywood Legion
Stadium until 1940. In fairness, lots of black boxers fought
at Hollywood Legion Stadium after the ban was lifted.

- Chuck Johnston

In the book In This Corner Henry Armstrong claimed he 'wore the cuffs' against Baby Arizmendi in return for a large sum of money.

In that regard he joins a long line of others who did the same.

At his peak, Baby Arizmendi was an outstanding fighter, so
I have my doubts that Henry Armstrong had the cuffs on
while fighting him at any time.

- Chuck Johnston