Armstrong, Henry Jackson, Jr. (1912-1988), was the only boxer to have held three world championship titles at the same time. Armstrong, an American, won the featherweight title in 1937, and the welterweight and lightweight titles in 1938. He dominated the welterweight division, successfully defending his title 19 times. In October 1939 alone, his all-out attacking style and superb fitness ended five separate challenges, four by knockouts. He lost the title in 1940.
Armstrong was born in Columbus, Mississippi, on Dec. 12, 1912. He started boxing professionally in 1931, and retired, penniless, in 1945 after 151 wins in 181 professional bouts. He turned first to drink, then sought comfort in religion, becoming a Baptist minister in 1951. Large crowds came to hear him preach. In 1956, Armstrong published an autobiography, Gloves, Glory and God. He died on Oct. 24, 1988.
