Question on The H2H Potential of Henry Armstrong

[acb_]

This is one classic fighter that arises a certain skepticism in me when watching his fights, not in trying to finger his brilliant career or accomplishments, but rather in viewing his potential in the h2h sense.

How do you guys see him in relation to other greats in and around the divisions in which he competed most successfully? I see a fighter with excellent conditioning, great strength, and indominable will-- but also one open to being sharply counterpunched with his guard and being moved upon and outboxed with his limited footwork by many of his contemporaries.

Thoughts? Do I underate him?

[Sweet Pea]

The issue he presents in a H2H sense is the same problem that a Marciano(or to relate to modern fans, a Margarito) type presents, always coming forward, always throwing punches, rarely taking a back step, and taking boatloads of punishment all in stride, as long as he is able to dish out his own.

I think he presents a harder matchup for the pressure fighters and mid-range boxers than the pure boxers(as long as they have the stamina to keep the pace) among ATG's.

Me and the cobra from Eastside were just discussing a matchup between Duran and Armstrong. Even with Duran being his favorite fighter, he gave Armstrong a far better chance than myself. I just figured Duran would completely out-skill him, and he would in spots, the only problem would be Armstrong's relentless workrate and pressure getting to Duran in the moments where he'd be looking to take a break and pick his spots. Armstrong literally NEVER did that, which is why he'd be hell for just about any fighter willing to stand within range.

Still, Duran's overall skills advantage would allow him to score the cleaner points and make Armstrong look amateurish at times, but Armstrong's consistent workrate and pressure would allow him to take rounds just on aggression. Duran would likely have his back to the ropes at times in this fight due to the constant pressure, though he'd still be effective looking to counter. I'd take him to win a 10-5 type Decision though.

[acb_]

Originally Posted by Sweet Pea

The issue he presents in a H2H sense is the same problem that a Marciano(or to relate to modern fans, a Margarito) type presents, always coming forward, always throwing punches, rarely taking a back step, and taking boatloads of punishment all in stride, as long as he is able to dish out his own.

I think he presents a harder matchup for the pressure fighters and mid-range boxers than the pure boxers(as long as they have the stamina to keep the pace) among ATG's.

Me and the cobra from Eastside were just discussing a matchup between Duran and Armstrong. Even with Duran being his favorite fighter, he gave Armstrong a far better chance than myself. I just figured Duran would completely out-skill him, and he would in spots, the only problem would be Armstrong's relentless workrate and pressure getting to Duran in the moments where he'd be looking to take a break and pick his spots. Armstrong literally NEVER did that, which is why he'd be hell for just about any fighter willing to stand within range.

Still, Duran's overall skills advantage would allow him to score the cleaner points and make Armstrong look amateurish at times, but Armstrong's consistent workrate and pressure would allow him to take rounds just on aggression. Duran would likely have his back to the ropes at times in this fight due to the constant pressure, though he'd still be effective looking to counter. I'd take him to win a 10-5 type Decision though.

Thanks for the post. I´d agree about his stamia and penchant for taking one to give one like Marciano or Margo, but also add that he came forward in the footage I have with no guard to speak of and completely open to being countered.

Agreed on Duran, I just cant see this being as close as the poster you were arguing with. In the few seconds of the Duran footage you posted against Marcel that I saw (connection here isnt really fast enough to feed the whole video), Duran was using his shoulders to bump Marcel and create angles in both directions to reface him and resume his body work. I´d imagine he would do the same against Armstrong. Still though, maybe I underate him.

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by acb_

Thanks for the post. I´d agree about his stamia and penchant for taking one to give one like Marciano or Margo, but also add that he came forward in the footage I have with no guard to speak of and completely open to being countered.

True, the thing is: he was countered! He did take loads of flush shots, though he moved very awkwardly and moved his head in such ways that he was often pretty hard to time, as well as hard to predict with his punches.

Agreed on Duran, I just cant see this being as close as the poster you were arguing with. In the few seconds of the Duran footage you posted against Marcel that I saw (connection here isnt really fast enough to feed the whole video), Duran was using his shoulders to bump Marcel and create angles in both directions to reface him and resume his body work. I´d imagine he would do the same against Armstrong. Still though, maybe I underate him.

I actually thought Marcel looked pretty even with Duran in that footage at times. Then again Duran was quite young there, only 18 as a matter of fact. Armstrong would be open to being maneuvered and outslicked often. But again, he was completelt relentless in his attack though all 15 rounds, whereas even Duran took little breaks or slowed down. Skill-wise I think Duran pretty much has him outclassed, but a lot of what Armstrong had can't be defined as narrowly as "technical skill". I still think Duran would land the cleaner punches and prove the technical superiority to take the Decision pretty cleanly, but it would be very competitive.Armstrong could possibly come on down the stretch, winning rounds plainly on aggression, though I'd still take him lose most rounds overall.