It should be pointed out that Canzoneri was neither the first to do this (see
Bob "Ruby Robert" Fitzsimmons, nor was the he only man to hold titles at three weight classes simultaneously. That honor belongs to
Henry "Hammering Hank" Armstrong. Nov. 19, 1937 - Armstrong became world's Featherweight (126 lbs) champion knocking out Sarron in six
May 31, 1938 - Featherweight champion Armstrong challenged Welterweight (147) champion Barney Ross, for the title. Armstrong, 126, beat Ross, 147, by unanimous 15 round decision, adding the world Welterweight championship to his Featherweight belt.
Aug. 17, 1938 - Featherweight and Welterweight champion challenged world Lightweight (135 lbs) champion Lou Ambers. In a history making night, Armstrong became the first boxer ever to have world championships in three different divisions at the same time, by beating Ambers on points.
Armstrong also won a fight with Ceferino Garcia, a future Middleweight (160 lbs) champion, but the next time they fought, on March 1, 1940, for the Middleweight championship, was ruled a draw. Many reporters thought Armstrong won the second fight.
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I saw Armstrong, then an old man, a Baptist minister, at a boxing card at the St. Louis Arena (later the Checkerdome). He was introduced to the crowd. A couple of years later, two guys tried to mug Armstrong on the street. Bad idea. It was easy for the police to catch one of the two muggers. The hard part was getting him back to his feet and conscious. He rolled on his buddy, and they both did a stretch. Armstrong was somewhere in his 60s at the time. (I may have posted somewhere in AP that he was in his 70s. I was off a few years.)
