Ambers (89-8-7) was one of the sport’s top lightweights. Known as “The Herkimer Hurricane,” he had built his reputation through victories over elite opposition and entered the bout as the undisputed champion. Armstrong (88-10-7) already held the featherweight and welterweight championships as he pursued an unprecedented third world title. Both men would later be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

From the opening bell, Armstrong fought in the relentless style that earned him the nickname “Homicide Hank.” From the opening bell, Armstrong applied constant pressure, forcing Ambers to fight at a fast pace. Ambers landed counters and combinations, but Armstrong continued moving forward and forcing the exchanges.

The challenger gained a major advantage during the early rounds. Late in the fifth, Armstrong landed a crushing right hand that sent Ambers to the canvas. The bell arrived before Armstrong could fully capitalize, allowing the champion precious time to recover. One round later, Armstrong dropped him again for an eight-count before launching another sustained attack to the head and body.

Even after suffering two knockdowns, Ambers refused to break. Even after suffering two knockdowns, Ambers remained in the fight. He began landing more counters and won several rounds as the bout progressed.

Armstrong’s aggression came at a cost. He was penalized three rounds for repeated low blows, deductions that ultimately played a significant role in one of the closest championship decisions of his career.

Armstrong also fought through severe injuries, including a badly cut mouth and cuts around both eyes. Blood poured from his mouth throughout the contest, and referee Billy Cavanagh reportedly considered stopping the fight. Armstrong refused to quit, even discarding his mouthpiece during the closing rounds while swallowing blood to remain in the fight.

Ambers finished strongly, particularly during the championship rounds. His late rally energized the Madison Square Garden crowd, many of whom believed he had done enough to retain his title.

After 15 exhausting rounds, the judges were divided. Two officials scored the fight for Armstrong, while the third favored Ambers, giving Armstrong a split-decision victory despite the point deductions for low blows.

The verdict drew an angry reaction from many spectators. Fans who believed Ambers had earned the decision showered the ring with debris after the result was announced.

Armstrong later described the contest as the toughest fight of his career, saying he was nearly overcome by pain after the final bell. The bout was later named The Ring magazine’s 1938 Fight of the Year.

The victory completed one of boxing’s greatest achievements. Armstrong became the first and still the only fighter to simultaneously hold world championships in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions. He soon vacated the featherweight title because making 126 pounds had become impossible, but continued an active reign as welterweight champion.

Ambers received another opportunity the following year and gained revenge by defeating Armstrong via unanimous decision to reclaim the lightweight championship.

Their first meeting remains one of boxing’s defining championship fights. It combined elite competition, relentless action and a historic accomplishment that has never been duplicated, with Armstrong’s victory standing as one of the sport’s greatest achievements.

Manny Pacquiao attempted to break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion in history last year, but had to settle for a draw against Mario Barrios. He may now get a second chance.

Pacquiao returned to professional action in July 2025 to challenge then-WBC champion Barrios. Had he won, he would have extended the record he first set by defeating Keith Thurman in 2019 at the age of 40.

The majority draw was enough to keep ‘PacMan’s comeback alive, and he subsequently booked a rematch with Floyd Mayweather. That bout has since been postponed due to the American’s ongoing legal issues, leaving Pacquiao open to another fight before it is eventually rescheduled.

Should he decide to challenge for a world title at 147lbs again, Australia’s Liam Paro – who claimed the IBF belt last month with victory over Lewis Crocker – appears ready and willing.

Speaking to The Australian before Paro’s win over Crocker, the Australian’s promoter George Rose of No Limit Boxing made it clear that Pacquiao was his dream opponent.

“Manny is the one fight we want to make for Liam. Imagine Manny coming back to Australia.

“Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolly Romero all hold world titles at welterweight, but we don’t have to do a unification fight.

“When Jeff Horn fought Manny, he didn’t have the belt. It would be unreal. Imagine doing a card with Manny, Paro and possibly the two Tszyus. It would be sensational.”

Paro was Jeff Horn’s chief sparring partner ahead of the Australian’s upset victory over Pacquiao in 2017, one of the most controversial decisions of the Filipino legend’s career.

Fighting in front of more than 50,000 fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Pacquiao lost his WBO welterweight title via unanimous decision despite many observers believing he had done enough to retain it, particularly after nearly stopping Horn in the ninth round. Pacquiao later accused Horn of repeatedly using headbutts and elbows throughout the contest.

A return to Australia with the chance to make history once again could therefore prove an attractive option for Pacquiao, although mandatory challenger Paddy Donovan may have something to say about whether Paro is free to pursue such a blockbuster.

Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis put in a performance of the year candidate to become a unified super-welterweight world champion last month. Now, the Philadelphian is being linked to a host of major fights in the 154lb division, but promoter Eddie Hearn believes that there is one clear frontrunner.

Ennis dethroned Xander Zayas in style, halting the Puerto Rican inside six rounds to capture the WBA and WBO super-welterweight marbles and announce himself as the man to beat in the super-welterweight scene.

Since then, Ennis has been mentioned for meetings with WBC world champion, Sebastian Fundora, and long-term rival, Vergil Ortiz Jnr – who is yet to fight since November due to an ongoing lawsuit with Golden Boy Promotions.

Although, Fundora is now expected to take on mandatory challenger, Ermal Hadribeaj, who claimed the WBC Silver title by outpointing Bakary Samake in May.

However, one man that will presumably be available is IBF world titleholder, Josh Kelly, who is also promoted by Hearn. Speaking to iFL TVHearn unveiled that there is a ‘very good chance that Kelly will fight Ennis in November’, if he successfully retains his belt in a well-rumoured maiden title defence later this month.

“Boots wants all of the belts, he is desperate to become undisputed. Josh Kelly is fighting [on the Anthony Joshua undercard]I know it’s the worst kept secret in the world, there will be an undercard announcement soon.”

“When he [Kelly] comes through that fight, there is a very good chance that Josh Kelly will fight Boots in November. Yes, [in America].”

It is understood that Kelly will face off with Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko on the Joshua-Prenga undercard on Saturday, July 25, with a victory seemingly teeing up a major unification affair between he and Ennis, which would likely take place in Philadelphia.