Columbus honors boxing champ Published Oct. 9, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Weger 14th Flying Training Wing Commander's Action Group COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Columbus, Miss., is the birthplace of many prominent individuals, including playwright Tennessee Williams and baseball announcer Red Barber. One man, however, has slipped through the sands of time and fallen into obscurity, until now. Henry Armstrong, born Henry Jackson, was once referred to by the New York Times as "pound for pound, the greatest fighter in boxing history." "Hurricane Henry" is the only fighter in the history of the sport to simultaneously maintain three championship titles in three different divisions: featherweight, lightweight and welterweight. "Mr. Armstrong's life is a true American story," said Rufus Ward, special project researcher at the Columbus-Lowndes public library. He was born Dec. 12, 1912, in a log cabin to America and Henry Jackson. His talents did not just lie within the realm of boxing. Early in his life, his greatest wish was to become a doctor. He was valedictorian of his high school class, but unfortunately his family could not afford to give him an advanced education. As a result, he turned to boxing and the rest is history. Rufus Ward, along with a group of Columbus natives, has organized several special events to commemorate his achievements and to honor his life. Tonight will be the Henry Armstrong celebration kick-off with Friday Night Fights, which will feature eight bouts of professional boxing. NBA great Clarence Weatherspoon and Deontay Wilder, the only U.S. boxer to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics, may also attend. The price for admission will be $25 and the event will take place at the Trotter Convention Center in downtown Columbus. Tickets will be available at the door. Monday at 1:30 p.m, a ceremony will be held to dedicate a state historical marker honoring Henry Armstrong at the intersection of Waverly Road and Wilkins-Wise Road. The public may visit the nearby old Frierson Chapel Cemetery, where his mother is believed to have been buried. Several Columbus AFB personnel have volunteered to help prepare the cemetery for public viewing, as it has suffered from years of neglect. Following the dedication, the Columbus-Lowndes public library will feature a lecture by Mr. Armstrong's grandson, Edward Scott at 2:30 p.m. followed by one of Mr. Armstrong's movies. At 7 p.m., the Heritage Academy will host Ed Schulyer, Associated Press Boxing Correspondent, for the Hazard Lecture Series. All of these events are open to the general public and are free of charge. For more information on Mr. Armstrong's life, see his autobiography Gloves, Glory and God at the Columbus-Lowndes public library.