have u ever seen a sam langford fight and was he as good as people say he was

I've just read a long round by round press report of The Boston Journal 26/4/06. The reporter who was at the fight, (it being in the Chelsea Athletic Club Mass.)writes that Langford took a potentially career ending beating, was knocked down 3 times, incuding twice in the 6th. and had no chance at all. But he won plaudits for his courage and grit. Also his friends was pleased, because they had bet he would last 10, 12 and the full 15 rds. Johnson was 29 pounds heavier and 6" taller. I've known all this since I was a child, but the internet makes it easy to find press reports. So I fail to see what purpose the topic starter has in trying to boost up Langford over Johnson, except to denigrate Johnson, who was possibly the greatest heavyweight in history. "Certain" minds can often "fall in love" with a favourite subject. This may be the case here.

From my understanding there wasn't another time. I believe I read it in Jack Johnsons book that the media wouldn't allow a rematch after the first fight was very close. The media feared that if Langford could beat Johnson, then his reign as champion could be long and feared that the belt would be held by another black for a long time. I think I actually read it in Jack Johnsons book, Unforgivable Blackness that JJ said Langford beat him a few times in exhibitions. Despite the medias outcries Langford and Johnson made more money fighting each other in exhibitions than what they did in fights against whites. Oh, there was. There was a time where Langford wanted the fight and it could have made. Johnson didn't want it, for whatever reason. And I don't think it's in that book. It's been a while since I read it but I don't recall that. As for the fight they had. There were people saying the fight was close but it's been confirmed from various ringside reporters that Johnson won in one sided fashion. Although, Langford wasn't a Heavyweight at that point. A rematch should have happened.

yeah but how old was he? how far past his best?? In the video provided in this thread against Joe Jeanette I think he's around 30 years old. Maybe a little more maybe a little less, going off memory. Perhaps not his best but he still had some great wins post that fight. It's hard to say when his absolute best really was. The guy beat ATG's Lightweights and also beat Boarderline ATG Heavyweight's. It really is astonishing. There's quite a bit of footage available of him. A lot of highlights but some full fights too.

yeah but how old was he? how far past his best?? There is only footage of him at heavyweight, I believe. I would like to see film of him against Ketchel where he is in top shape and seeming physical peak given his height.

Seems you're presuming there is no footage of Langford. There is.yeah but how old was he? how far past his best??

He beat 73 Hall of Famers, all in their prime. His handspeed was that of 10 Roy Jones Jr's. He had the power of George Foreman and Mike Tyson. His footwork was nothing like you see today, you can't even call it footwork, he would float around the ring. No, I have not seen his fights. He is better than Sugar Ray Robinson though. Ask me about Harry Greb too. I'll tell you all I know about him as well. Seems you're presuming there is no footage of Langford. There is.

You're right about certain things but completely wrong about his fight with Johnson. Where did you get such silly fables. Langford was young, and Johnson beat him alost senseless, KDing him a couple of times and generally holding up as well. Johnson had a big weight advantage in his unanimous decision. That stuff about a gun is Wild West stuff...never happened. You're thinking of Wyatt Earp.... The reason he didn't fight him again was because the "white folks" who were the ones whose money kept the fight game going then wouldn't pay to see 2 black men fight for the most prestigious title in the universe, and above all, Johnson's extravagent life-style needed lots. it was bad enought that Johnson had the title, and I'm sure you know all about the various ways they tried before they got rid of him. Or maybe you really don't but they were baaaad. A lot of people claimed that Langford gave Johnson a tough close fight. However, it's been confirmed by various ringside reporters that Johnson won in one sided fashion. Shame he didn't want to rematch him when the time came.

Depends who you're asking. I've seen him compared as a puncher to George Foreman (I very much doubt it) or picked to beat Mike Tyson (yeah, not happening) But he is a consensus top 3 P4P, there must be something to him. Starting at lightweight and fighting Jack Johnson, an ATG heavyweight, to a draw. That alone is the work of someone special. Johnson ducked him for a rematch as clear as anyone has been ducked before, even drawing a gun on him to make him leave him alone in a bar. Archie Moore has 2 more knockouts than Langford by the way, at 131 to Langford's 129 You're right about certain things but completely wrong about his fight with Johnson. Where did you get such silly fables. Langford was young, and Johnson beat him alost senseless, KDing him a couple of times and generally holding up as well. Johnson had a big weight advantage in his unanimous decision. That stuff about a gun is Wild West stuff...never happened. You're thinking of Wyatt Earp.... The reason he didn't fight him again was because the "white folks" who were the ones whose money kept the fight game going then wouldn't pay to see 2 black men fight for the most prestigious title in the universe, and above all, Johnson's extravagent life-style needed lots. it was bad enought that Johnson had the title, and I'm sure you know all about the various ways they tried before they got rid of him. Or maybe you really don't but they were baaaad.

seen some clips and highlights of him and some kayos...he was ahead of his time and actually looks like a modern fighter....his record speaks for itself...he beat formidable contenders and champions from lightweight to heavyweight and did so until his 40's and 2nd most record kos of all time...dude could have been a world champion in all those weight classes he was that good, it says alot....the only guy he lost to more than he beat I believe was Harry Wills who was a large man even by todays standards and a natural heavyweight 6'3" 220, but langforde was past prime by then...another great black fighter too good for his time for a title shot

i have never ever seen any of his fights but he had to be really good 2 most kos in history and ranked as the 2nd greatest puncher of all time went from lightweight to heavyweight Depends who you're asking. I've seen him compared as a puncher to George Foreman (I very much doubt it) or picked to beat Mike Tyson (yeah, not happening) But he is a consensus top 3 P4P, there must be something to him. Starting at lightweight and fighting Jack Johnson, an ATG heavyweight, to a draw. That alone is the work of someone special. Johnson ducked him for a rematch as clear as anyone has been ducked before, even drawing a gun on him to make him leave him alone in a bar. Archie Moore has 2 more knockouts than Langford by the way, at 131 to Langford's 129

i mean, even if you haven't seen langford's considerable talent and skills in evidence, consider this. when sam registered his win over tiger flowers, he was pushing forty, had been in the game two decades already and was practically blind. way past what people call "shot" on here. while tiger flowers would go on to become the great tiger flowers. sometimes you don't have to have seen it to know the size of the accomplishment.

He beat 73 Hall of Famers, all in their prime. His handspeed was that of 10 Roy Jones Jr's. He had the power of George Foreman and Mike Tyson. His footwork was nothing like you see today, you can't even call it footwork, he would float around the ring. No, I have not seen his fights. He is better than Sugar Ray Robinson though. Ask me about Harry Greb too. I'll tell you all I know about him as well. :lol1: i hear you. a number of Langford fights (and training footage) exist on film though.

i went over his rec on boxrec n i only recognized about maybe 50 or 60 names im talking about harry greb

Harry Greb didn't beat 18 ATG's, he beat 94 ATG's. And 173 HOF'ers.

i mainly tend to love the underappreciated fighters that why hes one of my top 10 favs

i know about harry greb i got a weird start in boxing bt i do know who the top 10 atgs are i read bert sugars book of the 100 atgs bt i thought harry greb held the record for beating the most atgs at 18

He beat 73 Hall of Famers, all in their prime. His handspeed was that of 10 Roy Jones Jr's. He had the power of George Foreman and Mike Tyson. His footwork was nothing like you see today, you can't even call it footwork, he would float around the ring. No, I have not seen his fights. He is better than Sugar Ray Robinson though. Ask me about Harry Greb too. I'll tell you all I know about him as well.