Henry Armstrong vs Richie Fontaine

On October 20, 1939, reigning world welterweight champion Henry Armstrong stepped into the ring at the Civic Auditorium in Seattle, Washington, to defend his title against challenger Richie Fontaine from Missoula, Montana. The bout, promoted by Nate Druxman, would prove to be a short but action-packed affair, with Armstrong's relentless attacking style overwhelming Fontaine in just three rounds.

The fight began with Fontaine taking the initiative, tearing after Armstrong in the opening round and seemingly catching the champion off guard. Fontaine's aggressive start earned him the first round on the scorecards, but Armstrong, known for his incredible stamina and punching power, was just getting warmed up.

In the second round, Armstrong unleashed a barrage of punches that sent Fontaine to the canvas an astonishing five times. While the referee, Tommy Clark, did not administer a count for any of these knockdowns, it was clear that Fontaine was in trouble. Armstrong's speed and precision had found their mark, and the challenger was struggling to withstand the onslaught.

The third round saw Fontaine's hopes of an upset victory evaporate as Armstrong continued his relentless assault. The champion sent Fontaine to the mat three more times, prompting referee Clark to wave off the contest and award Armstrong the victory by technical knockout.

Despite the one-sided nature of the fight, Fontaine showed remarkable resilience and sportsmanship in the aftermath of his defeat. "Henry didn't hurt me," Fontaine told reporters from the Seattle Times. "He just stunned me." These words of respect from the vanquished challenger underscored the skill and power of Armstrong, who had once again proven his dominance in the welterweight division.